Resolved to sew 2012

Very Berry Handmade is hosting a giveaway, with a prompt that asks us to tell our 2012 Sewing Resolutions.

And here they are -- 

Last year, I hadn't sewn hardly a thing that we kept.  Thankfully, I managed to turn that around last year, despite being less productive* than I was the year before (go figure huh?)  

*this is referring to quilts; I was re-productive in other ways

The bottom two quilts were the only ones in the pile made prior to last year, and I have since added a quilt for myself, two for Scarlet, a big boy quilt for Steiger, and another for Daddy.  My next goal is to get a quilt for our bed (the only time I don't love having a King-sized bed). ;)

Which leads me to my next two sewing resolutions...

The quilt top pictured behind/above that stack will go on our bed (only needs borders and backing), and will also be my first pattern.  I'm making the cover pattern in Rouenneries Deux, and have all the blocks nearly ready to sew together in rows.  I'm calling it "French Kisses."  Just because.

Designs have literally been popping in to my head while I nurse Scarlet in the wee hours of the morning.  I just need to learn how to use EQ more effectively, or some kind of drawing/diagramming program.

With all these new ideas forming though, I also resolve my "bucket list."  

You see those smaller buckets on that shelf... 

...and here, above my hutch  --> 

 Yep, those are my bucket projects.  They are in various stages of piecing, and though they might not speak to me the same way they did before, I am resolved to finish up one a month.  Or at least that's my goal.  

I really, really want to finish this one - 

and this one:

I am also resolved to start a little garment sewing.  I changed my mind a little on my fabric choices for Scarlet's "Baby in the Hood" jacket... these will be even better.  I do want to make a practice version so I can see what size I need though... 

With all these plans, perhaps at least part of this post should be called Resolved (not) to Sew 2012...

The truth is, I have these two little creatures, one of whom calls me "Mom," and the other one who believes that 9 pm is time for a cat-nap, and not time to go to bed for the night.  Scarlet's sleep is dramatically improving, but still, babies don't always keep schedules, and two-year olds don't always want to nap.

I need to remember that.

I think my husband would also like it if I didn't let the laundry pile grow too high. Or I fed him... at least most of the time.
*sigh*  Sometimes it's hard to let go of all the projects I want to get done.

But I do need to remember to.

with love,
Tracey

(Oh, and as far as the giveaway goes -- The Sumersault is pretty cute... but so is the rest of it... and as you can see, I don't need new fabric)

WIP Wednesday - 1.18.12

(side note: still can't believe it's 2012...)

Finished projects (since you last saw me) - 

- Rob Peter to Pay Paul quilt (more to come)

- Steiger's big boy quilt (more to come)

On the table - 

Since Amanda and I are going to go sew for a day with Anna Maria Horner (yes, you heard that right), she's been on my mind.  I've also wanted to make Scarlet the little "baby in the hood" jacket...so I'm going to get started.

Garment sewing scares me, but I might never have a baby girl again, and I simply must take advantage of her cuteness.  I'm curious though -- I can't decide which size to make -- the measurements for the 0-3 mo. are a 21" chest, and the 3-6 mo. is a 22" chest.  Scarlet is 3 months old and measures 18"... which size should I make her?  (Length is the same for both).  I'll probably go bigger... I just hope she can wear it now!

- Bee blocks

I need to wrap up making my late bee blocks.  This one is for Angela, and almost finished.  Melissa wanted paper piecing -- I need to figure that out!

- Adding borders to this, and learning how to write up a pattern

I've decided I'm just going to jump in, and see what happens.  This quilt will be on our bed (hooray!), and I hope to publish the pattern.  I'm also going to do a quilt along with it I think...  It really is so beautiful!  I can't wait to get it quilted.

Awaiting Quilting:

- Nicey Jane blocks

- Christmas quilt

Awaiting more cutting/piecing:

- Chubby stars

- Heirloom frames

- French Kisses

- Pure baby quilt (his one year birthday is next week -- I need to move this to the top of the list!)

- Countless others I'm not counting. :)

This week's stats:
Completed projects - 2 (not technically completed this week, but I'm counting them anyway)
New projects - 1

Currently in progress - ???  I'll have to get a total count for next week.

Linking to Lee's!

all I want to do.

She really is quite charming.
And time consuming.



Last week, at her three month appointment, she was coming in at thirteen pounds.  What I'd like to know though is, if I am responsible for all thirteen pounds of her, then why haven't I lost that myself???

I'm also really excited to cut in to this pretty bundle...



I've been a fan of French General since its inaugural line, the first Rouenneries (and Amanda can attest to my "healthy" French General stash)... I'm stalking Fat Quarter Shop for them to post their yardage.  This will be my first dabbling in real pattern writing (if I can figure out how to make it work)... I've done the test blocks, and am hoping to get this thing whipped out (which depends entirely on the darling pictured above) and written in to a pattern.  I'm also hoping to be able to access some of my pre-children intelligence to get this all explained and diagrammed... you know, because children really do steal our brain power. :)

Happy Tuesday!

Smitten - Blogger's Choice Bundle

My daughter's name is Scarlet after all, so I had to go with red.

The collections are:

Flower Sugar by Lecien, Etchings by Moda, Northcote Range by Moda, Fleur Rouge by Anna Griffin, Maman by Cloud 9, Urban Cowgirl by Moda, and Children at Play by Michael Miller.

I hope they don't mind my loose interpretation of "solids," but if you hang out here long enough, you'll know I like wovens, so I hope the pin-tuck counts.

If you want to enter this great contest over at Quokka Quilts, sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop, go read this post, and link your entry by January 15. :)

You know, I hope fatquartershop gives all us bundle makers a coupon code... because well, I'm going to want this fabric even if we don't win.