Doll Beds Finished

Ok, I am tired of the frantic last minute Christmas gift sewing.  I had one more project I wanted to finish, but since I'm going shopping tomorrow anyhow, I'll just see if there isn't something I can buy instead..... There, I said it.  We'll see how I feel tomorrow....

I don't know if any of you have seen this pattern...  it makes the cutest little doll bed out of a 28 quart plastic tote.  Really.  You almost have to see it in person to believe it.  It is perfect for an 18 inch doll - like an American Girl doll.  I bought the  "Our Generation" dolls at Target for 2 of my great nieces.  My intent had always been to make them the bed ensemble.  Well, just like me, I left it until the last minute.  I just finished them up tonight...

 

The pattern has directions for the entire set - a quilt, dust ruffle, mattress, flat and fitted sheet, and pillow and pillowcase.  The directions are clear, and it is pretty easy.

 

I would just advise that you not wait until the last minute to make them!

The fitted sheet called for 1/4 inch elastic, something I was sure I had.  I recently "inherited" all of my late mother's sewing supplies, and that's where I ended finding the needed elastic...

 

I'm thinking this elastic is probably almost as old as I am... and yes, it is still stretchy, and yes, I actually did use it.   I just hope it holds up....but I guess it can always be replaced if it doesn't! 

The doll beds, along with the dolls, and presents for the rest of the family, will be on their way to Colorado shortly.  And I should have given a little thought as to the cost of shipping a large plastic tote........ :)  Oh well, it's Christmas, right?!

 I'm linking up to Amanda Jean's Finish it Up Friday.





 



 

Easiest pillow ever

Have you seen any of the tutorials out there on making pillows from placemats?  It has to be the easiest way in the world to make a pillow.  There's a tutorial here, and if you do a Google search for "pillow from placemat", you'll get may other tutorials! 

Last year, on the day after Christmas, I purchased these placemats for 50 cents each.

They were put away with all the Christmas decorations, and I kind of forgot about them until this year. So anyhow, all you do is unpick about 3 to 4 inches of the seam and stuff with fiberfill.

 

I made my son and future daughter-in-law help.  I told them it was Christmas craft time.  Doesn't he look thrilled??  :)

I sewed them back up, and here is the finished product -

I think they turned out really cute!

I will be on the look out for more cute placemats.

Kissing Booth

I finished up a baby quilt this week.  It's made with one charm pack of Moda's Kissing Booth, and every random piece of fabric that I thought would work with the charm pack!  Maybe next time I should splurge and buy 2 charm packs...... :) 

 

I don't have any good pictures of the entire quilt.  It is backed in a brown fabric with polka dots...... didn't get a picture of that either!  Oh well.  I'm linking to Amanda Jean's Finish it Up Friday.  And I am working on some Christmas presents today - hoping to get them finished soon!

 



Mystery quilt and a birthday!

So are any of you joining Bonnie Hunter in her latest mystery quilt, Easy Street?  This is my first mystery quilt, and I am really excited to be participating! 

 

My first blocks are finished... here is a glimpse of a few of them.  I made a few extra..... at last count, I had 198 of them.  We will use 192 of them in the quilt.

 

 

If you haven't already started, it's not too late.  Or, you could print off the directions and save them until the holidays are over and you are looking for a new project in January!

 

On another note, it's my dear husband's birthday today.  And perhaps you know my friend Julie.  It's Tractor Joe's birthday today, too!

In honor of DH's birthday, I tried a new recipe, Apple Cheesecake Crumb Pie.  I found the recipe here.  And it was delicious!

 

I should have taken a "before" pic.  Oh well.... 

A Bag

I finished a bag this week.  It's for my sister...... a birthday gift.  Her birthday was the 20th, so I'm just a few days late.  Anyhow, I used the quilters grid, which is made by Pellon.  It's basically fusible interfacing, with a grid on it.  I cut 2" squares, and ironed them on the Quilters Grid.  I guess I should have taken some pictures during the process, but I didn't....

 

I improvised a lot on a pattern I have.  I have made Simplicity 2274 a few times.  It's a nice big duffle-type bag.  You can see it here and here and also here.  Anyhow, I decided I didn't want the bag to be quite so big.  I also wanted it to be sturdier - a little stiffer, I guess.  So, I tried to copy the way Elizabeth Hartman constructed her Weekender bag, but not using that pattern.  Does that make sense?  Anyhow, this is what I came up with.  Not a huge bag, but it should work for overnight.  Oh, and I lined it, too.  And added interior pockets.  I quilted each section, using cotton batting and a heavy weight cotton duck for the backing.  Then there's the lining layer on top of that.  Sorry, no pictures of the lining...

The straps are nice and long..... and I didn't make them out of jute webbing this time.  Just black fabric, with a layer of interfacing.  I really don't like the way the jute webbing smells. 

I'll be sending it off to Colorado soon.

And it's ok..... my sister doesn't read my blog.  :)  I'm not sure she even knows I have one.......

I'm linking it up to Amanda Jean's Finish It Up Friday.

 

 



Atomic Dot

Yesterday I had to go to Des Moines, for a training session for work.  I left home at 5:30 a.m, as I needed to be there by 9.  I made it in plenty of time - with a little more than a half an hour beforehand to spare.  I guess you never know how traffic will be.  Anyhow, I was done by noon, and decided to stop and do a little shopping on the way home.  I stopped at a great quilt shop, the Quilter's Cupboard in Ankeny.  I have shopped there before, and actually purchased my sewing machine from them at the Des Moines Quilt show a few years ago.  Anyhow the Atomic Dot quilt had been on display at the quilt show.  I decided I need the kit, and bought it.  Last night when I got home, I cut it out and sewed it together.  It couldn't really be any easier.....

 

 

Here's the top.  I'm linking it up to Amanda Jean's Finish It Up Friday, just because I can!  :)

 

It will go to the quilter on Monday, and I am hoping to have it back in a few weeks, to give to someone special for their birthday!

 

 

 

A Big Finish

I'm always happy when I am able to share finished projects here, and this is a big one.  I believe it was back in July when I was asked to help with a quilt for one of our local churches - to be auctioned off at their bazaar in November.  Well, back then, November seemed so far in the future!  The ladies had already picked out the fabric for the quilt and purchased it, and one of the members had donated some hand-embroidered blocks that her aunt made back in the 30's or 40's.  Julie came up with an idea and drew it out on graph paper for me.  I did the cutting and sewing, and then took it to my local quilt shop.  From there it was sent out to a long-arm quilter.  Well, I just got it back a few days ago, and here it is......

 

Julie has the perfect spot for taking photos of quilts - especially one this large.  It measures 97"x97".  Works great on a queen-sized bed.

 

Here you can see some of the details a little better.  The quilter did an amazing job - it's hard to capture all the details in the photo, but she out did herself.  She quilted around the embroidered design with a white or very pale thread, and then quilted pink flowers in the large green squares.

The owner of my favorite local quilt shop donated the batting, and the quilter seems willing to donate her quilting, but I don't think I can let her do that.  It just wouldn't feel right, and I certainly did not expect that.

I am linking this up to Crazy Mom Quilts "Finish It Up Friday".  Just in case the link doesn't work, here it is again:

http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2012/11/finish-it-up-friday-11212.html

The quilt is off to the good people of the United Methodist Church.  It will be on display this Sunday - the bazaar is a week from tomorrow.  I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!  :)