Sunday Stash #3 - Sphere Yardage and Fabric Pens

Is anyone surprised that I’m doing a Sunday Stash post on a Monday? Because I’m not. I really need to pre-write these things.

Anyway, I have two new goodies to share.

I got some yardage of Sphere by Zen Chic to go along with my Xbox and Botox quilt. This is my absolute favorite print from this collection. Backing? Binding? Both…? Now I don’t have any more excuses for not finishing that sucka. Can you dig it? (Anyone catch my little joke there?)

My other quilty acquisition is this set of gel pens for writing on fabric. I’ve been looking around for a good, permanent fabric pen for making quilt labels. Anyone have a great pen they’d recommend? I’m excited to try this kind out. Stay tuned for some highly un-scientific experimentation with these.

That’s it for today. I’m keeping this one short because I want to sew for the rest of the afternoon. Who doesn’t? Maybe I'll manage to fit some housework in there. Right…

========

Linking up with Sunday Stash over at Molli Sparkles.

Sunday Stash #2 - Lots of Loot

It's Monday. Yes, yes, I know. I'm a day late...again. I like to think that blogging has a certain learning curve to it and I think I've finally learned that I just can't find the time to write up a blog post on the weekend. So, a day late I will be!

For my Sunday Stash (Monday Post) I wanted to share some of the awesome loot I've won lately.

Let me tell you why I love blog giveaways. Yeah, you can win some pretty cool stuff, that's a given; but I really like that entering a giveaway forces me to comment on blogs, to become part of the conversation. It can lead to new quilty/bloggy friendships as well. I've "met" some of the nicest people just because I entered their giveaway. 

Okay, okay, it's time for the good stuff. Let's meet the loot!

I won not one, but four, FOUR, charm packs of From Bump to Baby by Gina Martin. The giveaway was hosted by Hilary of Young Texan Mama. If you haven't been to her blog I highly recommend that you go check it out! Anyway, I love this cute line of fabric. It has a great range of color and some darling nursery prints. It also has a lot of geometric basics thrown in there; so if you don't use the whole charm pack, your leftovers don't have to be limited to baby projects. Speaking of baby projects, I have a new niece or nephew arriving soon and these charm packs are going to be perfect for making a special baby quilt! I can't wait to use these. 

Next up is this gorgeous set of fat quarters. 

I won these from Annemarie of the infamous GenX Quilters blog. You know her from her amazing BOM's. Anyway, she hosted the giveaway as part of Jennifer Sampou's Black and White Collection blog hop. I'm so glad I won these but now I want need more! I don't have a specific project in mind for these beauties yet I'm sure there is a black and white quilt in my future. 

Last up is this drool worthy book. 

Why yes, that IS Paper Pieced Modern by Amy of 13spools and it is ah-maze-ing! I've been a fan of Amy's work for a long time and have been anxiously awaiting the release of this book. Then, lo and behold, I won a copy from Charlotte at Displacement Activity. It's safe to say I want to make all the quilts. ALL the quilts! Lol.

So, there you have it, my fantastic winnings. I'm slightly light-headed from writing this post. Chalk it up to quilty euphoria!

Until next time,

-Sarah

********

Linking up to Sunday Stash over at Molli Sparkles!

Instagram Got Me

Oh dear. I've been lost in an Instagram haze for the last few weeks. I feel as though I've just stumbled out of a loud, hazy Vegas nightclub with a beer stain on my dress and what I sincerely hope isn't vomit on my new shoes, only to be blinded by the rising sun. Was I in there all night? We've all been there, right?

I thought it had been maybe a week and a half since I last wrote a blog post. Nooooo, it's been three weeks! Wait, what?! Three weeks! I have so much to share, so much to say. It's been a busy three weeks, relatively.

I finished piecing the top of my "Xbox and Botox" quilt. You can read more about the pattern and fabric selection on this post. Rather than do a random splattering of blocks, I decided to do a deliberate gradation of color. I LOVE how this one turned out! I mean seriously love! Which is a good thing because this one is mine. Mine I tell you! This will be the first quilt, other than the one I made for myself about 15 years ago, that I will be keeping. Selfish sewing is good for the soul.

Okay, I've got to talk about seams. Yes, I know it's a can of worms but it's got to be done. I have always pressed my seams open. There, I admit it. However, I do believe that there is a time and a place for side-pressed seams. This quilt definitely falls into that category. See how beautifully those intersections come together?

I love a good nesting seam and the quick ease of pressing to the side. You do have to pay a bit more attention, though. I thought I had all my pressing directions organized but when I changed the layout of my blocks to the color gradation, I moved everything around and not all of my seams nested. Boo.

I still need to baste and quilt this one. I've been putting it off because I'm not sure how I want to quilt it. Yeah, that's the reason. It has nothing to do with the fact that I strained my bicep FMQ'g a month ago. *face palm* Sarah - 0, sewing machine - 1.

In other news, here is a pretty little pile of trimmings for a new project I've been working on. More to be revealed later; you know, when I have more than trimmings to show.

I'll save my other quilty doings for future posts. In the meantime, I'll be lurking around on IG; it's been a few hours since my last fix. I'm trying to be more social by commenting on things rather than just doing lookie-loo drive-bys. You can find me there as @123quilt.

- Sarah