Bird + Seed

Work in Progress Wednesday: Foiled by half a yard!

The entire quilt top is done!  Yet this weekend when I was getting all psyched to make my quilt sandwich, I discovered that I was 1/2 a yard shy for the back.  And because I don't want this thing to be half-assed or piecemeal [like so many of my other projects] I went and ordered enough fabric for the back.  So you see, I had every intention of getting it done, but alas I was foiled.  And it will have to be put on hold until after the completion of Christmas crafts.  Which is good I guess- I'm a little tired of sewing.  And beige.  The quilt has a lot of beige.

Work in Progress Wednesday: Quilting along

With this zoomed in view it almost looks like a completed blanket!  Well, we are coming down to the wire [the wire being my goal of completion by Thanksgiving] and I've only just now begun to piece all the strips of squares together.  Even if I put in a valiant effort I doubt I'll finish.  Maybe everything save the binding, though. My fingers are itching to start new crafts.  Holiday crafts.  Does anyone have any good holiday craft plans?  May I live craftily/vicariously through you?

Work in Progress Wednesday: Quilt Week 2

Marathoning put the quilt on hold for a bit- but now it's back- and with GUSTO.  And I mean serious gusto.  Nose to the grindstone type gusto if I want to finish this thing by Thanksgiving.  That was my original goal.  At least now piecing together the colorful blocks are done.  This week I move onto the cream ones.  This is all the easy part... the challenge still lies ahead.

Work in Progress Wednesday: Quilt Week 1

Ok, I know I've been threatening this for a while.  Like QUITE a while.  I moved four months ago with this fabric.  But now I'm doing it.  I'm making the quilt.  I did all the cutting over the weekend and have been spending about 30-45 minutes a day on it since then piecing it together.  As it's my first, it's going to be simple.  My goal is to have it done by Thanksgiving.  Which is when I'll have to kick holiday craft/gift making into high gear.  Eek!  And for your reading pleasure and to make me squirm [and hold myself accountable] I will share weekly updates.  

Work in Progress Wednesday: Stitched Poster

I only have part of this design worked out in mind.  The rest will come with time.  I'm big into free-hand embroidery these days.

And below is a finished piece featured on WIP Wednesday a few weeks ago.  I need to do a better job updating with my finished projects!

 

Work in Progress Wednesday: Stitched Apron

Stitching my name in mustard [aka 'Connie'] yellow on my apron for ceramics class.  I figured it would not only look cute, but help my fellow classmates remember my name.  There are a lot of us.  Oh, and ceramics class is a lot of fun, if not overwhelming.  To go from never handling real clay before to sitting in front of a wheel in 20 minutes is a little scary.  But I made a centered & symmetric bowl, so I guess I'm off to a good start.

Work in Progress Wednesday: Covered Buttons

Now that I'm settled I can begin crafting.  And nothing inspires craftiness and general diy-ability like a fresh clean slate!  I think my sewing machine will be very busy in the coming weeks. 

Work In Progress Wednesday: Yellow Pleated Skirt

My least favorite part of the sewing process.  Ironing, cutting the pattern, placing, cutting the fabric.  Gah it takes forever.  And makes a mess.  But in the end- a cute pleated yellow skirt for me! 

Work in Progress Wednesday: Crewel Study

With linen and proper needles and worsted wool in stock I am ready to crewel stitch.  I think my first step will be to make a sampler, as a means of practice.  At this rate, it's going to take a while. 

Work in Progress Wednesday: Crewel Stitching

Not so much a work in progress as learning in progress.  This book provides such a great explanation of so many stitches.  It solved my chain stitch and stem stitch woes.  But my satin stitch still needs some work.  The feeling of crewel is so much different from floss embroidery.  The wool is stretchy and forgiving.  It covers so much more area.  It feels softer and more organic- less like drawing with a pen [embroidery] and more like pastels [crewel].  It's taking some getting used to.  But I have a feeling that there are many crewel throw pillows in my future.