Instagram and Blogging

Now that I have an IPad it has become so much easier to take pictures of my projects and life and instantly share them on Instagram.  I will still blog from time to time but if you want to have an idea of want I'm working on, you can find me as "blueberrygabs".
I enjoy blogging but I didn't always like having to upload from my camera just to blog something quick.  Using my IPad has become fun actually for all of us. Even my five and two year old wander around the house at times and snap pictures...it's so cute!  I laugh now when I didn't think we'd necessarily get a lot of use out of it....boy, was I wrong!!!  The girls play games, watch movies, color....
Hope you're having a great Sunday!

Ham!

Ham!, a photo by BlueberryGabs on Flickr.

All pieced!

All pieced!, a photo by BlueberryGabs on Flickr.

Here she is!!!

City shops quilt

City shops quilt, a photo by BlueberryGabs on Flickr.

Playing with colours and layout

Afternoon Sewing

I haven't spent any time sewing for a while now so I was eager to get back at it with a small project today.  My stepson has been spending time with us this summer and has been wanting his own personal pillowcase.  Life with two little ones as you know can be very busy so I wanted to make sure I made this for him today while he's on an overnight trip with Dad.  They've gone hiking :).
My 5 year old had to get in on the action while my 2 year old was napping.

Complete with French seams and a nice solid flannel border...this is going to be nice and cozy when they return home:)
I talked about how I make pillowcases in this post:
http://blueberrygabs.blogspot.ca/2013/04/pillowcases.html.

Newborn Flapper Hat

Lots of little girls being born lately so I made two of these little flappers this spring and summer.  I've been in my knitting mood lately so haven't really been at the sewing machine.  We've went away on vacation to the East Coast (Peggy's Cove) recently so I brought along some knitting/crochet projects.  I don't know what it is about making baby hats but I'm always drawn to them.  Instant satisfaction in completing a project and instant baby cuteness --- a great combination for sure!!

I love using cotton for those spring and summer wee ones.  Nice and soft against the skin.  If you're interested in making your own there are tons of crochet patterns on Ravelry and Etsy.  I've simply adapted my own and made this "flapper" style which I think adds feminine, vintage touch!  Love it!  I don't typically use variegated yarn but these colours were so soft, I couldn't resist!

I believe I picked up this flower at JoAnn's in the U.S. - it couldn't be more perfect....matches perfectly and really adds that finishing touch!

I'm linking up to Clover and Violet's Season by Hand which finishes tomorrow night.  Hurry up and go and post your project!!!

Here are a few pics of this summer...

Next on the list...Summer Wrap

I've been in the mood for some knitting lately.  It's funny how I get in different moods between wanting to sew, quilt or knit.

Here's what I'd like to make...

What I like about this wrap is that it will be nice and airy...perfect for a summer evening.  I'm a sucker for stripes so that's why this pattern appealed to me.  What doesn't appeal to me is thinking about all of those tiny stitches in lace weight yarn....:)

Blogger's Quilt Festival - Second Submission

This is my second submission to the Blogger's Quilt Festival in the Doll/Mini Quilt Category.

For those of you who have visited before (thank you by the way:), I recently finished this quilt for my 90 year old grandmother who lives in a nursing home.  She spends all of her time in a wheelchair these days so I wanted to make something that was small, and could be placed on her lap.  She's a wee bit of feisty one (all 77 pounds) and red is her favourite colour.   This pic is of my daughter who held it up for me once I finished piecing the top.

Love a striped binding, don't you?  Just happened to come across this fabric recently at my LQS so I knew it would match perfectly!

I used my Accuquilt machine to cut all of the isoceles triangles so it came together pretty quickly.  I used a plain red flannel for the backing so it would be nice and soft for my Grandma.

Finished size:  25x31
Quilted by me on my home machine

Little Miss G and I visited her recently on Mother's Day and gave this to her as our gift:)

Blogger's Quilt Festival - Spring 2013

It's that time of year again!

 It's the Blogger's Quilt Festival!!  Two times a year, Amy from Amyscreativeside.com hosts the most awesome quilt festival....literally a feast for your eyes!!!  I was so glad to see that the deadline for submissions is May 17-24, 2013 as it gave me that extra boost to finish up my husband's quilt!  It's true, almost everyone in my family has been given a quilt, except for my husband:(  Sad, but true.  So, the ladies of the Unscripted Bee helped me put this one together.  So, without further ado, here is my submission for the Group or Bee Quilt Category:

Of course, Miss G had to get in on the action as I had my husband hold the quilt up yesterday afternoon in our backyard.  To those of you who follow me, sorry to go on and on about this quilt but I swear it's been quite a process to come together.....slow, slow, slow for sure.  I posted on the many phases of its completion, but this will be the last one....honest:)

I first fell in love with Victoria's Waverunner quilt....here's the tutorial.  I had made this quilt for my stepson two years ago so I had a lot of solid scraps left over.  Luckily, my husband loved the colour combo so the quilt idea was born!

I knew I wanted to quilt it with concentric circles.  I personally love BloomingPoppies tutorial on concentric circular quilting.  I quilted this on my home machine with my walking foot.  As I didn't have a guide for it, I ended up having to use the edge of the foot as my guide which makes for dense quilting in the end.  

I do love the effect though!

As for the binding I used Kona Charcoal as I wanted a darker binding to match the back (pics soon as the quilt is in the wash).  I personally like a thinner binding, so to switch things up a bit, I decided to go with a 2 inch binding versus my usual 2.25 inches.  It certainly is tighter, but if you're machine quilting the binding on, it's the way to go.   I usually use Rita's (RedPepperQuilts) method of attaching the binding but I decided to attach it to the back and then sew down the front with a seam that's really close to the edge.  My thread blends not only with the binding colour but is also hidden in the backing as I used a light grey thread to do all of the quilting.  I have to say by the time I was done with the quilting, I was very eager to get the binding attached and be all done!!!  I wish I could say I love to hand stitch the binding, but I don't have the patience:(

For the back, I chose flannels (Sketch in Charcoal, Royal Blue and Red with a piece of Washi in the centre).  I love a flannel backing because it makes the quilt all nice and cozy!  I'm sending it along with my husband so he'll have it when he's at the fire station on his nights at work.  The colours represent the navy (he's a navy diver in the reserves) and a fire fighter (had to have a little splash of red).

So thank you to the ladies of the Unscripted Bee for all of their hard work!

Quilt Size: 49x56

Quilting:  Home machine by me:)

Based on: Victoria Bumblebeans' Waverunner Quilt

Fabrics:  Kona Cottons

Mini Triangle Lap Quilt

I finished this up today and feel great as I've been meaning to make it for some time.  Every time I visit my Grandma I think to myself...you really should make her a little lap quilt as she spends the majority of her time in her wheelchair.  I can't wait to give it to her and for her to have something from me to provide her with some tangible comfort.

Miss G got in on the action again!  She was my  little helper:)

In between amusing them this afternoon, I managed to finish piecing it and then quickly quilt and bind! One good thing about this quilt is that it is only 25x31 which will hopefully be perfect for my little Grandma.

As for the binding, it was just by chance that I went to a local fabric store and stumbled across the most perfect fabric for this quilt!  It literally has all of the colours I had already selected:)  Love when that happens!  

For the back, I decided to use my Grandma's favourite colour, red, so I went with flannel to make it soft for her.  Didn't do anything fancy, but I'm happy with the results.

Knowing that my Grandma lives in a nursing home, I wanted to make sure it had her name on it but I didn't have any labels.  I pulled out my sewing machine manual, checked out some features and embroidered her name on the back before I made the "fabric sandwich."  Worked out great!

Haven't tackled triangles before but all in all I'd definitely make a triangle quilt again.  In fact, I already have some Anna Maria Horner fabric ready to go....but first have to finish my husband's quilt!

Triangles

I've been wanting to make up my 90 year old grandmother a little lap quilt for when she's in her wheelchair.  She's really petite at 77 lbs now so I know that a flannel backed one will keep her cozy.  Every time I visit her I ask what her favourite colour is (she has dementia) and she faithfully says red.  So, the other night, I whipped out my Accuquilt Triangle cutter, picked out some solids and started sewing pairs.

Pairing some orange, melon, bright pink, yellow and white makes for a nice, happy combination.  Miss G had to get in on the photo action so she liked it on her little tent.  It's a beautiful sunny day here for May 4th:)

Baby Gift

Whipped this up for a friend at work who is going off on mat leave on Friday...she's having a baby girl:)

Some better pics - outside

My husband humoured tonight by holding on to "his quilt" outside.  The lighting inside was so poor last night so this gives you a better idea of the colours.  And yes, those are his feet peeking out below:)

FINALLY...(doing a little dance)

 This quilt top is FINALLY done! I know, I know, you've seen a thousand pictures of it in its various stages (thanks for humouring me:) but I finished up that last row and it feels really good!

Pillowcases

I whipped these two pillowcases up for my daughters yesterday. I love quick projects! While we were in Florida, I stopped by the Daytona Beach JoAnns store and the girls picked out these flannel fabrics. I bought 2 yards of fabric and a roll of 2 inch wide ribbon and Bob's your uncle! It couldn't be simpler! Here's what I used: 1 yard of fabric (I didn't use a contrasting fabric for the band for these pillowcases) and 2 inch wide ribbon for the band border. For the main part of the pillow, the fabric is cut at 27 inches and 9 inches is used for the band. I used 2 inch wide ribbon for the band border. I used Missouri Quilt Co's tutorial which is brilliant! However when you reach the very last step of sewing your 2 seams (length of pillow on one side and short side; an "L" if you will), I used French seams so that all of the seams are enclosed! Don't shy away from them as they are super easy to do! Here's how you do it: With right sides facing out, sew down the length of the pillow and short side with a 1/4 inch seam. Yes, that's no mistake - you are sewing on the right side of your pillow. Trim the one corner because you next turn the pillow inside out - now you will be sewing on the wrong side of the fabric. Using a 3/8 inch seam (the next line after the 1/4 inch mark on your sewing machine), sew down the same two sides. Turn right side out and admire your work because your raw edges of your seams are now enclosed and cannot be seen!! You won't have any fraying when you wash your pillowcases! I used French seams on these pillowcases because I was using Flannel but I'd have to say I would definitely use French seams on any pillow I would make because it makes for a professional look to  your work!

Well gotta run....have a 5th birthday to host....and have some last minute things to get done. Happy
Saturday!

 

 BTW: Is anybody having problem on blogger with uploading images and then altering the size....all of my images are coming out small; when you used to upload you'd have the choice of the size but on this new version, it doesn't give me an option. Any thoughts?

An Update

I first have to say thanks to those of you who still drop by my little blog to see what I'm up to. Haven't done a lot of sewing lately or knitting as I've been sick, there's been some birthday planning for my now 5 year old and we've been to Florida and back. Since I'm at home this week with a yucky eye virus I got to some sewing this morning. Now I'm sure you must be sick of this particular quilt since all I seem to do is show postings where just a few blocks have been done......not a lot of progress I know....but it is coming along....really, I swear:) I actually had my husband sit on the couch so we could "try out" the length for size. Looks like I've got another row of blocks to do because it only comes to the base of his ankle....and that's not really cozy is it? Here are some pics .... they tell the story...


Love the colours in this whale photo....I've been inspired to make an "ocean" quilt for the family. Bought some fabric on my trip and have added it to the "to do" list. Uh oh..
Gotta love Disney at night...we went for one day over the course of our trip.
Cupcakes for Miss G's class.

Amy Butler Lecture - Quilt Con 2013

When I first started getting back into sewing in 2006-2007ish - I came across Amy Butler's website and was blown away by all of her handbags and designs! I was bitten by the AB fabric bug and have never looked back! I mean come on, who doesn't love a great handbag?? ;) So, needless to say, I was looking forward to actually seeing Amy Butler in person at her lecture at Quilt Con this past Saturday! The title of her lecture was "Creating Your Unique Color Story." I was already really excited to hear about her fabric design "process," but I certainly never expected her to "speak to my soul." I know that sounds, as she says, "a little dodgey" but that's exactly what she did! Amidst her beautiful photos from her recent trip to Egypt in December 2012, she spoke about recently attending the "Ignite" conference in New York. It was a weekend full of inspirational speakers on how to live life intentionally and authentically. Doesn't that sound awesome? She shared her personal vulnerabilities in expanding her work to include a new online magazine, Blossom which recently debuted. She said "when fear knocks, you're meant to go through it anyway." Isn't that so true? Scary for sure, but exhilarating and inspirational on the other side:) Who can't relate to that whether it be your creative process, personal or professional life? I don't know about you, but a healthy sense of fear/hesitation can be the exact thing that makes you try something new, keep you on your toes and expand your horizons! It can be so freeing! I know I have personally done that recently regarding my professional life and it has really felt good to do some new things and get out of the "safe and comfortable" zone. The key message of her talk was this:
 She displayed these absolutely drop dead gorgeous photos of her trips. She said what she does is groups the photos that really speak to her (maybe they're just plain beautiful or they evoke a certain feeling) and looks for colour themes. She said she then puts collages together and colour matches them with paint chips(she said she gets hers usually from Lowes). How cool is that? I'm definitely going to try this sometime. Next, she starts to draw images pencil/pen and then her assistant will match up the paint chips and produce something digital for her. And voila....this is where she starts with her fabric collection. This is obviously a simplistic paring down of the process and I hope I've remembered everything she said, but hopefully you get the idea:)


 

Amy is so awesome!

 I loved her message in that whether you're new to sewing/designing, no one sees colour like you do. We are each unique and there can only be one of us. So go out and try something, be authentic and see what you come up with! Trust your instinct and intuition. Okay, I couldn't resist, I'm not usually a groupie but after such an awesome lecture, I had to meet her in person and tell her so - so she was doing a book signing and I got this picture taken. How funny do we look! Amy is so tall and I'm so short so she sat on a stool when this picture was taken:)
 Not only is she beautiful on the outside but it's obvious she's beautiful on the inside as well! Okay, by the way, isn't Craftsy cool! Well, they're extra cool now because they've put all of the Quilt Con Lectures on their website for FREE.....check them out! Here's Amy's lecture (courtesy of Craftsy) Oh yeah, and by the way, I said I would never really get in to sewing clothes...maybe baby ones but never adult size....well, now I have to take back those words! I'm going to try her pattern, Liverpool, in tunic size. So cute! I think it was seeing everyone in Texas wearing cool boots and thinking this tunic would look so good with them! Now, off to shop for some boots!

Quilt Con was AMAZING!!!

Back in December, once some more of my father's estate was taken care of, I eagerly wanted to do something for myself. I had dreamed of going to Quilt Con but knew that registration for the classes had begun back in August. I looked into it and became discouraged that there were only waiting lists being taken for any of the workshops that I was interested in. Cut to - saying to myself - are you crazy, you have to go and you have to make this a girls weekend. My two best friends and I haven't been in the same place for literally 6 years...yikes!!! One lives in Phoenix and one lives in Ottawa - opposite ends of the US/Canada! Having some faith, we all managed to pull it together and meet in Austin on Thursday!!! It was SUCH AN AMAZING WEEKEND! Even though my friends do not share the passion I do for quilting/sewing/knitting, we managed to have lots of fun time together and I was able to attend the conference and do everything I wanted to do too! (exhale....) Since I have SO MUCH TO SHARE, I've decided to do little bits and pieces over the next week so tonight I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite quilts showcased at Quilt Con. Such beautiful work ladies!