WEEK 20
Okay, so I am way behind. It doesn't mean that I haven't been productive,it just means I have not spent  the time blogging about it. I have to apologize. The only way that I can show, teach, question, grow...whatever..is to keep up with the blogging. I honestly try to do better but I am a slider. For week 20, I did make a medium size messenger bag. The size turned out good, it was difficult because I used the same fabric for every piece. I liked the size and will add it to the list of bags that I will make again.

 My quilt "Grandmother's Beer Garden" got accepted into the exhibit "In the American Tradition". I am totally stoked about this. I worked very hard on this quilt and did a lot of bead work on it ("I am not a beader"). I had tons of friends collecting beer caps and this quilt traveled out of the country several times....Hard work does pay off. I am going to be shipping it off this week and once it actually shows for the first time, I will post pictures here on the blog. Plan to be amazed.....

                                                                     Week 19

Well, time sure flies if you are having fun or not. I can't believe that almost half the year is over. For this week's project, I've been trying to find the perfect messenger bag. I feel like Goldilocks and the three bears. This one is too big, this one is too small and I'm just trying to make one that's just right. Maybe, it is going to have to be two or three different bags for it to be "just right".

The first bag I made, although cute, was too big, in my opinion. Some people that I surveyed loved it, so I guess it will have to be a custom order. It measures a whopping 16 inches  x 14 inches. It has one pocket inside but I think you can fit our home computer in it, not just a laptop.

Large Messenger Bag

The next bag was a good size for a tablet and other stuff. It has a zipper pocket and several compartment pockets inside and an extra pocket on the front. I used a vintage like strap slider and I really liked the design. It measured 8 inches tall , 11 inches wide and 3 inches deep.

Small Messenger Bag

I am now working on a third bag that will be a medium size. I have taken all the thinks I like about both bags and incorporated it into one design. I am working with denim and recycled burlap coffee bags. It is looking pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. The pictures will have to wait until next week. 

Over the past week, I have made a donation quilt for SAQA measuring 12 x 12, using the applique that I worked on in my class that I gave in the studio. The class was raw edge applique and we made some beautiful flowers. I am waiting to hear back regarding my entry for "In the American Tradition" of my Grandmother's Beer Garden quilt. I have been working on a special medallion quilt, just the quilting, so I can get it back to it's owner and made various other small projects. Life is busy but it sure goes down easier with fun projects. I realize I am a week behind, so hopefully will catch up in a day or so. Until then, keep on quilting.

                                                                       Week 18

For this week's project, I made several bags. I know you, the public, find that hard to believe. Just kidding. I love making bags and quilts and most everything else. These little gems are called " Little Glam Bags" designed by Nancy Green for Pink Sand Beach Designs. The pattern was well written and easy to make. The first one turned out so cute, I had to make one with fabric and suede.

Time has a way of flying by and I seem to be holding on to the tail of a tiger....that is running at high speed. I am presently trying to draw quilting designs on a Wacom tablet connected to my Creative Studio program. I am in the process of downloading the program to a laptop so I can be mobile in my endeavors. Hopefully, this will make me more productive and have better time management skills. I also am embarking on making original designs into silk screens so I can make designer fabrics. Not to mention, classes in the studio and working on my own art quilts.

Lena- I mustache you a question and Living the good Life #3- Meet me on Kauaii will be traveling to Little Rock,Arkansas in June for a show- themed "Down by the Riverside". Lena is going into a juried show, so wish her luck.

I just sent in an application for my quilt, Grandmother's Beer Garden"for possible admittance  into the show "In the American Tradition" that opens in Houston in October 2015 and may travel internationally. I should know something about this by June 5th.

I am also working on a very special art quilt for a call for entry into the SAQA's exhibition called "My Corner of the World". This quilt is near and dear to my heart, so I'm working extra hard on it. Meaning, lots of hand and bead work.

Classes in the studio are weekly. I'm trying to get my name out there so more people can get the word. I am trying my best to attend guild meetings and still work full time. Yes, life is hectic.

So until next week, or the end of this one when I post my next weekly project, live life to the fullest, don't settle for anything less than what you dream about and, as always, keep on quilting.

                                                                     Week 17

Well, the weeks are rolling right along, and I am rolling with them. Sometimes, it feels like there is never enough time to do all the things that I want to do but I seem to be productive. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I do daily projects (on my days off).
For this weeks project, I did another paper piecing project. It was very involved but I wanted to show everyone that once you learn how to paper piece, you can do any pattern. This pattern is by Fandom In Stitches and like I have said before, there are thousands of free patterns out there. I chose this pattern because of the difficulty and for the soft spot in my heart for this Disney character. Goofy, in all his glory.

This shows the back so you can see the difficulty level.

Goofy in all his glory. 

My plan is to put him on the front of a messenger bag. I think he will fit nicely and look great. That project is for another week.
 So for the rest of the week, I finished my show quilt with the beer caps. (once it gets accepted into the traveling show, I'll share pictures), I started back on an art quilt that hopefully will be done by November and will get put into a SAQA show, made more bags, figured out an embroidery program that had been giving me trouble and made a birthday present or two.  Seems like I'm headed in the right direction. I try to make my sewing / quilting decisions by asking myself "Is it heading me in the direction of my goal". I get sidetracked frequently but this does tend to keep me more on track.
So remember to check the website for classes ( I will put them up tonight) and since May is my birthday month, I'm going to give people a discount. If you sign up for one class, your second class is 1/2 off. You could bring a friend and that could be your second class. This doesn't apply to the Learning Longarm class or for the class kit fees but you could save a few dollars. Hope to see you there and keep on quilting.

                                                                      Week 16
For this week's project I did something completely different. Well, it did involve sewing, but that was pretty much a given. I needed to have a cushion for my new couch in the studio, and I couldn't find one anywhere that I liked or that fit. So, being the person that I am, I decided to make my own. First, I found out that foam rubber is expensive, especially locally, so I ordered what I wanted online. Second I had to measure the exact shape of the couch that I wanted to cover and make a paper pattern so I could cut my foam. Now, I am a firm believer that you can google anything and find an answer, so I googled the best way to cut my foam. So, armed with an electric carving knife, I cut that foam like butter. Really, it was way too easy. I then went in search of upholstery fabric and needed supplies (aka zipper, piping or whatever else I thought I might need). Again, everything that was beautiful was very expensive so I checked out the sale table and lo and behold I found fabric in the exact colors that I needed and for about 1/4 of the price. Geez, I wanted to sit on the cushion, not marry it.

The final steps

I then proceeded to make a pattern and take many measurements. I opted for just a zipper and no the piping,( make it easy on myself.) For the life of me, I could not get the zipper pulls on the zipper that I was supposed to be able to attach so I bought a zipper already put together. It really wasn't difficult, I didn't use too many swear words and of course it's not perfect......You will have to judge it on your own when you visit the studio. At least you will have somewhere to sit.

The zipper in place

The end result. Makes you want to come and sit for a while, doesn't it?

So, come on out to the studio sometime soon. There will be lots of classes, lots to learn and lots to talk about. Remember that you will always be welcome but don't forget to call first to make sure that I will be there to greet you. Have a great week and keep on quilting.

We had an awesome class on Saturday learning how to paper piece.. The ladies learned new techniques and they did a really good job. 

Here are the blocks that we made. It was amazing to see how fabric placement can change the look of  the  same block.New classes for May will be up on the website by the end of this week, hopefully. I hope to see some of you for these classes. We are going to be doing great things and if there is anything that you want to learn, please leave me a message or comment. Thanks ladies for your enthusiasm and for the laughs.

                                                                       Week 15
For this week's project I made a wide zippered pouch thanks to the awesome tutorial by noodlehead.com. this was an awesome tutorial and it was free. The bag is wider at the top so that once you unzip it, you can see everything inside. I used some of the new cotton and steel fabrics and I think it turned out fabulously.

I have been really busy. I finished my bottle cap quilt. I'm going to enter it in the Houston show and will give you more information when I can. I upholstered a cushion for the love seat in the studio- that's next week's project. I finished a quilt (including binding)  in memory of a dear friend of mine, that I'm giving to his mother and finished several more bags. I have lots to share and not a lot of time to do that in. I am teaching a class on paper piecing in the studio over the weekend and will share week 16's project when that is done. All and all, it's been a great week. The weather is awesome here  in Southern California and people are getting out and about. There never seems to be enough time in the day to accomplish all the things that we want to do but sometimes we just need to stop and smell the flowers. Life is going fast and hopefully you won't let it pass you by. Live it to the fullest....and remember.....Keep on quilting.