Finished sand and water quilt top

In my last post I was trying out different layouts for my little adventurers quilt top. I wanted more 'sand' or blank spaces, so I came up with this arrangement. I now have 3 leftover blocks that I think  will become pillows.

I used up the green, blue, and yellow batiks to add some length. I'm thinking the yellow at the top is sunlight, the blue and green at the sides and bottom are water.

I placed one of the map blocks on point in the middle as a representative compass.

Two of the adventurers are above the 'compass' and two are below.

Now I have to finish the backing piece and pin baste it. I hope to quilt and bind it by next week.

I had to include this photo of little bit on her touchy-feely quilt I made before she was a twinkle in her dad's eye.

We had an interesting Thanksgiving break. I had hoped to get lots of sewing time but that was not to be. My 91 year old mom fell and broke her arm and we spent all Wednesday morning in various doctor's offices. 

Today I have cleared my schedule and hope to devote it to sewing. We'll see.

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.

Trying out finished blocks

It was a beautiful afternoon. The temperature finally feels like fall.

I thought I would try different configurations of the blocks I finished.

But it was too windy to use the patio as you can see below.

So I moved inside and this is my first try. I'm not sure if this is what I had in mind.

A photo always helps me see the problems.

Well, I'll keep on trying.

Found Map Fabric

In the continuing saga of buying fabric that fits my idea for a quilt, I lucked up on some map fabric.

I dropped by one of my local fabric shops. It was almost closing time on Friday. I asked if they had any map printed fabric but was ready for a negative reply.

Surprise! The shop owner said she had bought some map fabric for her personal use and happened to have a little left on the bolt. She went to the back room and came out with the fabric in the photo. It was exactly what I wanted.

Yea! And I have Monday off, so I hope to cut out everything and get started on my adventurers quilt.

Decisions, Decisions

What to do? My original idea was to frame each adventurous boy with a heart shaped frame. But the squares will be so big (about 20 inches). I looked at the suggestions from the fabric line and kind of liked their idea. They framed each one with several small strips of color. 

I bought six different fabrics to use-muted tones-for the background. 

I want the 'boys' to be sort of floating on a neutral background.

I'm looking for a beachy feel.

I would love to find one more fabric with a map print like an old treasure map.

Here is David. He is one of the future adventurers.

This is Liam with Grumps. Last Saturday we were adventurers on Ship Island.

Don't have time to sew today. Baby Ava is coming to town and I must get some snuggles.

Oh the Joy of New Fabric!

Yesterday was my birthday. One of those big numbers.

Mr. M and I went to the coast to celebrate with family. On the way we stopped at the Fabric Dock.

I had fun choosing some new fabric. Look what I got....

Some of the fabric above will be used in a quilt for baby David.

On my to-do list is to make some sample squares with these.

More Little Red and coordinates.

This panel of little boy adventurers seems perfect for a quilt to thank our week end hosts.

They have 4 grandsons. (We share two of them.)

And the family loves travel adventures.

I will share my ideas for these when I get MORE fabric to frame them.

Now to get sewing.

Placemat to Zipper Pouch

 I bought two colorful placemats on sale with the idea of turning them into zipper pouches. It's been some months (years) since the purchase but finally I made time for them. Many photos follow...

Materials needed are placemat, zipper, scrap fabric.

 Use the scrap fabric to make end covers for the zipper. Cut the zipper to the correct size and sew folded 2 inch square on each end.

Sew the zipper on the short end of the placemat. The other side is a little trickier but doable.

Zipper secured. Turn placemat inside out and sew side seams.

You can stop here or if you want the bag to have a flat bottom, there is one more step.

Make straight seam 2 inches from the point on both sides.

Turn the bag right side out.

And here you have a finished bag in less than 30 minutes!

I'm going to make another bag with a few minor changes.

Then I will have to decide to keep or share.

What are you sewing?

Wedding Present Quick Finish

New job. Busy getting settled and into a new routine. I was invited to a wedding shower for a new co-worker. I saw this fabric and it seemed perfect to be made into an apron.

Of course, some Hot Fingers pot holders would be nice.

I made so many of these last summer that now I can make a pair in my sleep.

So cute!

The reverse side has recipes for a happy kitchen.

Hope they like it.