0 popsicles mug rug

 When I first started sewing I made mug rugs all the time. They were my favorite thing to sew since they were small, relatively quick and easy to make, and I was able to try out new techniques and patterns without committing to anything large or long term.

So, when I came across Ayumi's adorable paper pieced popsicles pattern while digging through my stack of my will have to give it another try for sure patterns the other day, I decided a new mug rug was exactly what I needed :)

As you can see, paper piecing is a messy business, for me at least. I never seem to have as many supplies and fabrics out as when I paper piece. Pure craziness! And fun too!

This was definitely not the easiest pattern to tackle, but the cuteness of this penguin totally makes up for the headache trying to figure out which tiny parts go where.

In case you're tempted to think you need some special talent to be able to paper piece, I wanted to show my two previous attempts at this pattern from a few months ago. First time I made one popsicle and I was done. My second try resulted in two very strangely colored ones, I think the purple one was the grape flavor, I have no idea what blue/ yellow one was supposed to be :)

See, practice does make perfect???  Well, I would not go as far as calling my paper piecing perfect, but definitely improved. I think I will have to give this pattern a try one more time soon. I might even attempt to make all four popsicles included in a pattern and turn them into a pillow.

How about you? Do you like coming back to the same pattern or are you try it once and done kind of person? I'd love to know. Svetlana

Detail: popsicles mug rug

0 tricky...

Hello, how is everyone doing? What have you been up to lately?

I've been paper piecing a little since our deadline for chicken sew-p blocks is coming dangerously close and I still have more than half the blocks to make.

I used Charise's free pattern to make this sewing machine block for  Karen. I've adjusted the block a little and made an easier version of  a spool of thread. No, it was not supposed to be so wonky, but things happen and I'm trying to ignore it for now :)

I also decided to tackle a block for Susi. We are supposed to make blocks featuring our favorite childhood cereal or a cereal toy, but I grew up in a country with no breakfast cereal so this proved to be a tricky business for sure.

After much thinking and Pinterest browsing, I decided to make Tony the Tiger. I even went as far as drafting my own paper piecing pattern. It was way harder than I thought (mostly because I have no drawing skills on the computer). I quite like the finished block, though and that's what counts.

I love the amazing things you can do when paper piecing, but my brain still hurts from all that thinking and figuring out which part goes where, and mirror images, and tiny stitches that are so difficult to rip out.

So, I'm thinking of changing gears and doing some epp hexagons tonight. They are such a wonderful "non-thinky" project. Just what my brain needs.

Talk to you soon. Svetlana

Detail: tricky...

0 paper piecing

I never thought I'd say that but I've been doing quite a lot of foundation paper piecing over the last few weeks and actually loving it!!! You see, I tried paper piecing about two years ago and I found it incredibly frustrating and tedious, totally not worth my time so I dropped it and never planned on getting back to it again.

And then, a few weeks back, I was invited to join a paper piecing group on Flickr. There are six of us in the group and we're all making two blocks for each person. So, once everyone settled on their theme, I slowly started working on some of the blocks.

I used sew-ichigo pattern to make this enamel coffee pot. It was not that complicated and I just love how amazingly perfect this Nordika print is.

Feeling all happy and courageous from my enamel coffee pot lovely result, I then decided to tackle a more complicated pattern - Sonia (Artisania)'s little hedgehog. Isn't he the sweetest?

And then I gave this hexie bee (free pattern by Amy - badskirt) a try. Her wings ended up a little lopsided, but I'm planning on making another one soon and hopefully that one will be less wonky :)

I also made this little paper pieced house (based on Kerry's tutorial), which I promptly turned into a little mug rug of sorts.

And then there's this yummy looking strawberry block by sew-ichigo. Can you tell I'm a huge fan of Kerry and Penny's work? They are the best!!!

Well, I'm off to work on another paper pieced block. This time I even made my own pattern. I'll let you know soon how it all went.

Happy weekend to you all! Thanks for reading. Svetlana

Detail: paper piecing

0 randomness...

After what feels like an eternity of not working on any quilt whatsoever (it's only been two weeks, to be precise, but you know what I mean :)), I finally started a new quilt last night.

I pulled these lovely blues, whites, and grays in record time and decided to go with a classic 16 patch block - I just love the simplicity and old time charm of these blocks.

I'm using Erica's tutorial , her strip piecing technique is so quick with very little waste. I finished 10 blocks last night, I need just 14 more before I decide on the sashing, yay!

Can't wait to see them all on my design wall. But, before I do that, I have to do something about all those small wips, plus some homeless finished projects, on my wall. 

Can you tell I've been into paper piecing lately? And pink, I love pink so very much these days :)

And seeing Lola enjoying all the quilty goodness.

Detail: randomness...

0 small finishes

Somehow, there just was not much sewing action in the last couple of days. I've still been feeling sort of blah from that flu I got about 2 weeks ago and the fact that my kids are taking turns getting sick is definitely not helping.

I did, however, manage to finish the two throw pillows for my mom. This was definitely a push out of my comfort zone as the colors my mom chose are not "my" colors, at all. I like working with cool colors, they are my friends, I feel comfortable around them, but browns, reds, and oranges just don't do it for me. 

Well, this is pillow #1. I went with simple patchwork and I really like the way it turned out. It seems simple patchwork can be sort of deceiving, looking all plain and humble, but in the end it never disappoints.

I especially love the secondary pattern quilting brings in.

I decided to go more complicated with the second pillow. This paper pieced Tallahassee block is probably my most favorite block at the moment. It's not a quick block and takes some precise sewing to get it to look just right, but I think all that extra work is so worth it.

I did my favorite zipper closure for both of these pillows and finished them off by attaching the binding the same way I would for a quilt.

Oh, by the way, a tutorial on how to install a zipper closure is coming up very soon.

How is your Christmas sewing going? Are you working on any presents?

Detail: small finishes

0 this and that...

Last couple of days were good. I've been working my way through the list of Christmas presents for my family and it feels great to check then off as I go. And, since I felt all happy and on track last night, I decided to take a little break and worked on this paper pieced polar bear block instead.

Isn't he the sweetest? He'll look even better once I find some good buttons for his eyes, of course.

 I used the pattern by Sonja (artisania) from the book Pretty in Patchwork Holidays.

I'm  also almost done with two pillows for my mom. She asked for orange, brown, and white colors with some touches of red. Wow, not my usual colors at all, so to come up with something I'd like was quite a challenge. Here's a peek at one of the pillows.

I decided to go with simple patchwork and I think it's the quilting that's going to "make" this pillow. I did some paper piecing for the other one - pictures coming later.

Speaking of paper pieced pillows, I never really showed you the pillow I made for Kristie in our swap. I used this tutorial  and, as usual, I'm simply amazed at how perfectly seams match up when I paper piece my blocks.

Once my paper pieced blocks were finished, I framed them with two borders, installed the zipper closure on the back, and bound the pillow as I would a quilt. Finished size of this pillow is 18" x 18".

What have you been up to? Any Christmas sewing?

I'm linking this post up to Lee's WIP Wednesday. See you there.

Detail: this and that...

0 back to my routine

After the hustle and bustle of preparation for the craft fair, I'm finally back to my regular sewing routine. And, it feels good. 

I spent quite some time over the last couple of evenings working on these churn dash blocks. They are not "my usual" colors, and that might be the reason why I find them so refreshingly different. I love how these darker colors accentuate the bold, graphic look of the churn dash block. 

 I'm planning on using a 2" sashing in the same off white color to join the blocks, and I really need to start thinking about the back - not my favorite part at all. Any suggestions?

 I also made this pouch for myself. I needed a new one for my credit cards and money as the one I was using was about 2 years old and quite ugly looking by now.

After seeing this wonderful pillow on Flickr I decided to give these Tallahassee blocks a try. Mine are tiny, only about 4" each and I paper pieced them using the free pattern found here.  

I used some of my very favorite fabric by October Afternoon for the flowers and went with this dark linen look alike for the main part of the pouch. I then did some simple hand stitching to outline the blocks and added a yellow zipper and red ribbon for some pop of color.

And, to give credit where credit is due, my pouch was also inspired by this lovely pouch Chase made a while ago. Don't you just love the amazing amount of talent and inspiration all over the blogland?

Linking up to Lee's WIP Wednesday.

Detail: back to my routine