Fussy Cut Scrap Zipped Bag

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And just when I was getting my scraps under control….. I ended up with all of these… from all that fussy cutting last week.

I laid out a few of the larger pieces.

And ended up with this.

At first, I was going to make yet another mug rug. But decided to make my first little zippered bag instead. I know most of you HATE working with zippers. I don’t hate them but I rarely sew with them. My problem is that every time I want to use one, it is either too short or too long for whatever I am making. Just so happened this time the zipper was perfect for the scraps I had pieced together.

I used this striped fabric for the back.

For the inside pocket, I pieced together more scraps and added a lime polka dot.

For the lining, I used my “go to” fabric. Black polka dots.

This zippered bag wasn’t hard to make just slow going since it was my first one and I wasn’t 100% sure what I was doing. I used my walking foot to quilt the front. Just straight lines. And used my double sided zipper foot to sew the zipper. It worked great!!

After sewing the zipper, I flattened the bag, stitched all around, leaving an opening. Just large enough for my hand to fit inside so I could pull the inside out.

I hand stitched the opening. Poked out the ends. And done!!

I pieced together more “tops” from my fussy cut left overs. I will probably make more zippered bags. The next ones will be slightly different. I know of a couple of areas I could improve on. I need the practice.

This is my favorite.

It will take a month to work through my fussy cut bag of scraps.

And speaking of fussy cuts… those extra ones I cut.. I put the names of those who left a comment saying they wanted them in a basket. Hubby pulled one name. Nicole. Hey, Nicole!! Please send me your name and address so I can get the 2 1/2″ squares in the mail. Thanks much. And thank you, everyone, for leaving a comment.

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Linking up to…

http://conniekresin.blogspot.com/2012/04/linky-party-tuesday_30.html

http://sewhappygeek.co.uk/index.php/2012/04/30/manic-monday-linky-party-35/

Preparing For “May for Me” Month

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I am participating in the May for Me Celebration. It kicks off with a Bingo Game.

Here is the Quilted Bingo Block I made.

Lots of novelty squares. I LOVE Novelty Fabric and have been buying quite a bit of it since I learned to quilt last year. I didn’t love the fussy cutting part though but I do like how my block turned out.

In addition to the novelty fabric, I also used these for my borders, backing and binding.

As the items are called and if I have one, I am to sew on a button in that square. But wouldn’t these empty thread spools be cute as Bingo markers. Looks like a Chess Board, doesn’t it? I love it!!

When the game is over, I will use my bingo “card” as a table mat. Or I might hang it on the wall in my craft room.

Here’s a list of my Bingo squares.

I really had fun making this block. That is, after the fussy cutting was done.

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For more details on May for Me, click on the May for Me button on my sidebar. You can also check out the blogs of the four ladies coordinating May for Me. (I put all the links at bottom of this post.)

Lots of fun. Lots of prizes. A month long blog hop to see how the other participants will use their “ME” time.

What do I have planned for May?

My plans include making time for those “I Will Do Later’s”. And the Round-To-It’s. Slowing down, getting off the Fast Track. I might only accomplish one or two things during May but that is OK. My learning curve should inch up. I will focus on a few things simmering on the Back Burner.

And of course, I will tell you all about it. You can cheer me on. Or join in. There is still time.

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Bingo prizes.

http://hillbillyhandiworks.blogspot.com/2012/03/prizes-for-bingo.html

Bingo Rules.

http://hillbillyhandiworks.blogspot.com/2012/03/bingo-rules.html

Bingo Coordinators. (Thank you!!)

http://hillbillyhandiworks.blogspot.com/p/bingo.html

http://marciascraftysewing.blogspot.com/p/may-for-me.html

http://vroomansquilts.blogspot.com/

http://lilypadquilting.blogspot.com/

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Linking up to…

http://lilypadquilting.blogspot.com/2012/04/bingo-linky-party-may-for-me.html

http://marciascraftysewing.blogspot.com/p/may-for-me.html

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Called Bingo Words can be found here.

http://marciascraftysewing.blogspot.com/search/label/BINGO%20ITEMS

Making Progress… One Bingo Block Finished… One To Go

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OK, finished the first one. The block for my Bingo Game with my quilt group. The squares are sewn together, rows sewn together.

I think it came out nice. I like it. Here’s a close up.

When I was trying to decide how to display it, I remembered this cookbook stand that I bought at Michaels about five years ago.

I used it once at a craft show to display some of my necklaces. It is perfect for my Bingo block. I am going to use white buttons to mark the called out squares. And pin the buttons to the corkboard.

Green row: stripe, leaf, novelty, batik, heart
Blue row: geometric, star, 1930, plaid, oriental
Purple/Pink row: metallic, paisley, black (free space), dots, floral
Red row: floral, heart, stripe, holiday, novelty
Orange/Yellow row: dots, solid, novelty, butterfly, holiday

All fabrics accounted for.

So.. this one is done. And ready for the 15th when the game begins.

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The 2nd game I told you about… you won’t believe how much time it took me to gather up my fabric and charms. This is just some of it. I ended up pulling down from the shelves all of my blue, yellow, red, green and purple fabrics.

Then fussy cut the novelty squares. Several hours. For real!! But it was worth it.

Look!!

After seeing the photos, I think I am going to make a couple changes. The red sugar bowl and the green coffee cup side by side looks too similar. Gonna move one. And not sure how much I like that blue football. Not loving it. So, have to see what else I can put there.

Then I have to sew the squares together, add a border, quilt it and bind it. And also put the BINGO letters at the top.

Should be finished in a few days. I am early for a change. Doesn’t have to be completely finished until the 22nd. Plenty of time for me to pretty it up.

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Linking up to:

http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2012/04/finish-it-up-friday-week-22.html

http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2012/04/can-i-get-whoop-whoop-very-best-of.html

http://richardquilts.blogspot.com/2012/04/link-finish-friday-10.html

Time For Bingo… QUILT BLOCK BINGO!!

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I know all of you have played BINGO somewhere, sometime in your lives.

BUT have you ever played Quilt Block Bingo? I had never heard of it until recently.

My quilt group is hosting one for our members this month. I will create one Bingo block using twenty-five 2 1/2″ squares.

There are 17 fabrics/items to use in green, blue, pink/purple, red and yellow/orange. My card must include all of these: batik, butterfly, dots, floral, geometric, heart, holiday, leaf, metallic, novelty, oriental, paisley, plaid, solid, star, stripe, 1930′s. I can place them in any of the “color” columns. And black is the free center square.

It took about an hour sorting through my scraps and charms. So many choices. My mind was spinning. I figured the best way to begin was to just start cutting. I selected a few, cut them to 2 1/2″. Cut a few more and then started playing around with placement.

This is what it looks like now. Ready to sew the squares together.

The fabrics will be called out by the Bingo Coordinator just as in real Bingo. Green paisley, blue paisley, red holiday and so forth. The first person to call out BINGO (coverall) wins all of the fabric bingo cards from all members. It starts April 15th.

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The second Quilt Block Bingo game I am participating in is similar to the first one but it is mostly fussy cut novelty fabrics/charms. Such as cat, dog, car, cup, candy, etc. You can place the “items” anywhere you wish. One to a row. This card will be quilted and bound and is mine to keep after the game is over. And there are lots of prizes to be won. Anyone can participate. I first learned of this one from Connie at Quilting By The River. Check out her Bingo Card and how she made it. It is really cool!!

http://conniekresin.blogspot.com/2012/03/bingo-is-coming.html

I will post my Bingo Card for the 2nd game once I have the fabrics cut. There is still time if you want to play. Go rummage through your scraps. You know you wanna play. Aw, go on. Come join in the fun!!

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Go to these sites for the rules, tutorial on how to make your Bingo card and also Q/A’s. These ladies are hosting the on-line Bingo game.

http://www.vroomansquilts.blogspot.com/2012/02/b-i-n-go.html

http://marciascraftysewing.blogspot.com/2012/03/may-for-me-bingo-rules.html

http://hillbillyhandiworks.blogspot.com/p/bingo.html

Macrame Easter Basket… Pretty In Pink

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It is finished.

Finished and already headed to New York. It is due for delivery this Friday.

This pink Easter basket was a custom order from a lady who saw my macrame work on Etsy. She inquired if I would make this basket for her daughter. For Easter. She wanted hot pink cord with yellow beads. She even sent me the pattern. I was only able to find a lighter shade of pink cord on such short notice. And couldn’t find enough yellow beads. Needed 22 large oval beads. Boy, didn’t realize they would be so hard to find!!

But after three trips to my macrame supplier and sifting through four huge bins of beads, I found enough oval beads to get started. In hot pink.  Thank goodness that store (been shopping there since 1980) is just a hop, skip and a jump away.

So… the basket is made, the center cords are unbraided and fluffed out.

Wish I could be there to see the little girl’s face when her mom presents the basket to her. I am seeing brightly colored dyed Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies and a jumbo bow attached to the side. I will just have to imagine the delight in her eyes. Same as the delight I get from looking at the photos.

Now I need to rest up for about half a day before beginning anything new. Or even anything old.

What are your Easter plans?

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Linking up to:

http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/2012/04/wednesdays-wowzers-14.html

http://richardquilts.blogspot.com/2012/04/link-finish-friday-10.html

http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2012/04/finish-it-up-friday-week-22.html

Testing… Testing… A New Macrame Basket

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Got another macrame order. And this time it was something I hadn’t made before. Similar to it but not exactly.

So… as I usually do, I made a test one first. That way I know whether to cut the cords longer or shorter when I make the REAL one. It measures 11″ height with the handle and 12″ diameter.

It is going to be an Easter Basket. In pink with different colored beads. If I have time, I may make the basket in purple.

My test one is in beige 6mm braided macrame cord. Here are two of my birds resting comfortably, hiding in the branches.

This is how I made the bottom. I strayed a bit from the pattern my buyer sent me. I used this method instead. My own design.

I will be macraming all day today. Need to get the pink basket made and shipped by tomorrow. Just in time for Easter.

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Linking up to…

http://conniekresin.blogspot.com/p/linky-party-tuesdays.html

http://sewhappygeek.co.uk/index.php/2012/04/02/manic-monday-linky-party-31/