Craftalicious Countdown

doll-quilts[1]
Originally uploaded by Kindred Crafters

I'm busy getting ready for Craftalicious. It's Nov. 13! - go here and check out some of the awesome vendors.

I'll be selling a hodgepodge mix of doll quilts, mug rugs, fabric garlands, gift tags, hair pins, candy, and cookies. Something for everyone!

My friend Nadia took this photo of three of my little doll quilts. These are made up from leftover blocks from a baby blanket I've working on. Sara was here last week and bound them all for me. She makes her binding differently than me, and RIPS the fabric and MACHINE BINDS. Her way is much quicker and her mitered corners are so straight! I wish she lived here always so we could sew together often. I would learn so much!

If you live in Ottawa, be sure and swing by the sale, St. Matthew's Hall in the Glebe, Saturday Nov. 13, from 9-5!

- Donna

My turn to play catch up

Woah.

I am mailing off September and October blocks for Tong and Clivee...tomorrow. For reals.

I have had a heck of a time sitting down to get these ones done, and if I'm being honest, I'm sending a half finished project at best. Tong had asked for wonky scrappy stars for September. I was super happy to get going on this one...but a work trip, misplacing the fabric for several weeks, two bouts of cold en famille meant that I left this and left this and left this. I finally sat down in front of the machine last night to work on them. I cut out my cream coloured squares for the background, and made to scrappy centre pieces. But somehow in the way that I laid out the fabric I didn't realise that I had only half of it pulled out of the bag....I think I then tried to wonk the heck out of the squares and they ended up too small, as did the overall block. I put in several hours to get one block done, and it's wee, so in the end, I'm sending just one block and returning the lovely scraps to Tong with my apologies and a few treats. I'm so sorry I didn't complete the task!

I also miraculously got October's blocks done too....and even finsihed the two requested....Hope you like 'em Clivee.

Sorry about the poor photos. It's grey, grey, grey and cold and wet and it feels like almost-snow. I'm not ready for that yet. I would like some pointers on taking better photos...I have only a point and click but winter is nearly upon us so can't rely on sunny days so much....and also, how do I take a photo so it doesn't make the square look so wonky??

I had a lovely impromptu one night only visit with Sara this past week and we set up a little sewing room in my kitchen, joined by the ever crafty Holly. While Holly worked on packaging up the fabric tags we had sewn up months ago, Sara put herself to work binding four of the doll quilts I had sewn up for the upcoming craft show, while I worked on some potholders. What a productive evening! Thanks for the company Sara and Holly, and thanks for the sweat labour, too. Pretty good deal for the price of a steak and blue cheese salad (dinner!)

More to share soon!

- Donna

- Donna

Catching Up

Wow! How I have missed this part of my life! I've been quiet on the blog for the past while and I feel like I have a good excuse. I'm doing an accounting designation and that is taking up whatever time I have left after working full time and being the mom of a busy middleschooler. I've sang the praises of this quilting bee before, but had it not been for this bee, I wouldn't have forced myself to take a bit of time out for something I LOVE and MISS dearly.

September blocks are finally finished. Almost two weeks late, but finished and ready to be mailed out. October blocks are also finished which I am relieved about. When I saw the blocks that Cilvee chose, I have to admit, I was seriously nervous but I had no reason to be. These were some of the more fun blocks I've sewn in my block sewing career! They come together quite easily and quickly.

So there. I'm caught up in the quilting bee world. Now to catch up in the studying world! Will I ever be caught up on all fronts? Probably not!

Until next time...

~Sara

August Blocks for Alison

August Blocks for Alison
Originally uploaded by Kindred Crafters

Remember me?

These blocks were finished up a month ago, almost to the day..though I better share them out. And look - almost the end of the month and i've (gulp!) not started my September blocks. Maybe this weekend!

Life has been hectic around here, as it has been for Sara. I'm still working on stuff (a baby quilt from the FatQuarterly quiltalong), things for the craft show...hopefully something to show soon.

How do you make time for sewing? I've been fitting it in a minute here, a minute there, but haven't had a good stint in a long while. with working out twice a week, yoga once a week, the craft show to plan, a demanding full-time job and two kids (one of whom requires lunch now!!)...I feel burdened by too many things to do and not enough time.

I miss hanging out in this space and contributing to this community though so I'm going to try and get back here mor often.

- Donna