TGIFF - A Mini Thing

A few weeks ago I posted about Round 2 of the Name Game Swap and I'm now proud to announce that I have finished the mini for my partner.  Yippee!  In the interests of secrecy I can't quite show it off in all it's glory (yet!) but I can show enough to give you the main idea.  So, here tis is...


After a little bit of stalking it seems my partner likes brights and rainbows etc so I hope this suits her tastes.  To further fulfil the brief, her name has been appliqued within the "moon".  I'll post a complete photo once it has arrived at its destination.


I kept the quilting simple, opting for straight lines following the zig zags.  They are randomly spaced for a "modern" look and, truth be told, to stop me stressing about having them all perfect.  Yes, I am a complete stresshead.  Actually, confession time, I quilted this twice - unpicking it all after the first attempt (while listening to a lecture from Mr C about the pointless pursuit of perfection) and then starting from scratch.  It was a pain but I am sooooooo glad I made the effort as it looks 500x better and allowed me to experiment with a better anchoring technique.  What a learning curve!


For the binding I followed Laura's suggestion and went with black and white stripes.  Me likey!  My original idea was just plain white but I like the subtle stripes.  And, for the first time, I added on a hand-written label, just to finish it off.

The final size of this mini is 20.5" x 15".  I hope this isn't too big!

I have to admit - I'm pretty stoked with how this turned out.  It has been such a fun project and, as it used a few techniques that were new to me (free motion applique, trapunto etc), I have learnt alot through-out the process.  Big thanks to Kristy and Laura for guidance, encouragement and technical assistance.  I could not have done it without their help.

Excitingly, it seems I'm not the only one who is happy with this design as it has recently been picked up by Australian Patchwork and Quilting magazine for publication later this year (thanks to a certain someone who emailed them a pic).  Wow!  It is a complete honour and I am definitely looking forward to it.

That said, I'd better be off to make a start on version #2...

E.

I am linking up to this week's Thank Goodness I Finished Friday linky party over at Quilt Matters.  Pop over to see M-R's gorgeous growth chart that she made for her niece.  Awesome idea!

TTT - the Baby Edition

Now before you get all excited - no, I am not expecting.  But... as a few friends have annouced their own fantabulous news recently I thought I'd better get organised and start preparing.  Yes, I need to get myself ready for these births too.  ;)

I totally stole this from the lovely Lucy.

Firstly, I thought I'd compile a list of tutorials and patterns for gorgeous gifts - all readily available on the world wide web for free.  Oh, how I love Blogland!  In no particular order, here are a few that make me go ga-ga.

Kimono by Hammer & Thread.  Pattern available from Habitual.

Baby Blocks tutorial by Zaaberry.

Bib tutorial by My Go-Go Life, on Clover & Violet.

Easy Baby Blanket tutorial by Ode to Inspiration.

Jack Rabbit softie pattern by The Mary Frances Project.

Jungle Path quilt tutorial by Sew Crafty Jess, on Moda Bake Shop.

That's enough inspiration for me for one day.  Time to stop thinking and start doing.  :)

E.


This post has been linked up to Thursday Think Tank with Making Rebecca Lynne.  Hi Becca!  *waves*

TGIFF - Another Blanket of Love

I know that it's actually Saturday but I'm going to be a rebel and link up to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday! anyway.  Honestly, I did have the best of intentions to get this post up last night but due to technical difficulties, well, here I am.  Better late than never, right?  Right!  ;)


I'm happy to report that I have finally finished my second quilt for Kat's Blanket of Love campaign.  This has taken a ridiculous amount of time as I finished the first version back in February.  Disgusting!  Especially as this darling has just been waiting for binding since then.


This one is very similar to it's rival, with just a touch more blue added, in place of the red.  I wanted an excuse to play with slightly different colour combinations to see which was more pleasing to the eye in the end.  I have to admit, my vote is with numero duo.


Again I've left the back plain, to use up some stash I had left over from my first ever quilt. I obviously had no idea what I was doing as I seem to still have miles of that fabric left, even after using it for a few extra projects.  Oh well, it won't go astray.


There with have it -  two little quilts destined for some children at Princess Margaret Hospital, here in Perth.  I hope they bring at least some comfort to the families going through difficult times.

To find out more, and information on how you too can participate in this worthwhile cause (by donating blocks, tops or completed quilts), clink on the link below.

Now I'm off to continue working on my quilt for the Name Game Swap.  I am having soooo much fun with this one!

E.

As mentioned, I'm linking up to this week's TGIFF party, over at Sparrow in Flight.  Pop on over to say hello and to be inspired.

Name Game Swap

I've taken the plunge and signed up for Round 2 of the Name Game Swap, hosted by Samelia's Mum.  The premise is simple - make a mini quilt for your partner, with their name (or blog's name) as a prominent feature.  Easy.  A-huh.

I've just received my partner's details and have already begun the stressful (err, should that be exciting?) process of stalking, designing, binning, stalking again, designing some more...

Oh, the pressure!

Thankfully, though, she/he/it has excellent taste (or, probably more correctly, similar taste) so hopefully I can come up with something that we both love.  Wish me luck!

In the meantime, just incase my "Secret Santa" is stalking me, here is a little mosaic of some of the pieces I am currently drooling over, with a few different options thrown in for your creative pleasure.

1. my unfinished wonky star, 2. Dancing in the Wind!, 3. wonky cross quilt in teals and lemon, 4. Pick Up Sticks, 5. Glass Door3, 6. Prism, 7. Rainbow Mini Quilt , 8. Synergy - Heather Ross Mini Quilt, 9. Friendship Star Doll Quilt, 10. Cathedral windows mini quilt, 11. "everything's coming up rainbows" , 12. Purple Zig Zag Quilt, 13. spring fever mini quilt., 14. Gotye-inspired Modern Mini, 15. DSCN4681, 16. Diamonds mini quilt
Feel free to also check out my Pinterest page for further inspiration.  Oh, and just so you know - I'm not fussed which name you choose to use.  Either 'Erin' or 'Missy Mac Creations' is fine with me.

Good luck.  And enjoy!  I can't wait to see what you create.  :)

E.

TGIFF - Patchwork, Pillows & Pinterest

I'm sure some of you will be surprised at hearing from me - not only because it means posts on consecutive days but also because I have a finish to share.  No, wait, TWO finishes.  Wow, even I'm shocked.  Especially as it's all happened just in time to join this week's Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday linky party.  Yay me!

When I made my comeback last month, after a wee hiatus, I gave myself a personal goal to actually make some of the items that I've been drooling over on Pinterest.  A Monkey See, Monkey Do Challenge, if you will.

After much umming and ahhing I settled on this patchwork pillow (or cushion) design, by Crazy Mom Quilts.  I love the bright colours, use of scraps and personalised nature - prefect for a brother & sister team that I'd been meaning to make gifts for.

First pillow was for 3 year old Harvey, a real little man.  It has been quilted with straight lines, 1/4" either side of each seam.

Second up is a decidely girlier version, for little Poppy.  To mix things up I changed the position of her name, and finished it with diagonal quilting.  I will admit that I didn't rule these lines, choosing instead to do it all by eye, so it is rather "rustic" or "organic".  I can live with that.  :)

The backs and binding for both covers were kept plain, with a zipper for easy removal and cleaning.  And, I even remembered to sew on my label - another minor miracle!

The final covers each measure 18.5" square (I started with 3.5" x 3.5" pieces).  For these photos I've used 16" inserts, so they have a softer, squisher look, but 18" inserts would also fit, if you like a plumper pillow. 

Now they're off to Melbourne town.  I really hope little Harvey and Poppy love them for years to come.  :)

There you go, I think it's official.  I'm baaaaack.  Take that, Katy. Ye of little faith.  ;)

E.

This week's TGIFF linky party is over at Pretty Bobbins.  Pop over to say hello and see everyone's fabulous finishes.

TTT - the Quilts for Kids Edition

I was a little too slow to jump on board Katie's amazing 100 Quilts for Kids campaign last year but I'm determined to contribute something in 2012.  With the ability to donate to a charity of your choice, there is really no excuse not to be involved.  Well, there are actually lots of valid reasons, but none currently apply to me so I'd better get a-sewing.  ;)

Firstly, though, I need to decide on a design.  I've been ogling over so many inspiring quilts of late that I'm now overwhelmed with ideas.  You people are truly amazing!  So, in the interests of trying to narrow down the field, here are some kiddie quilts that I am currently loving.

Hopscotch quilt by Love Affair With My Brother

Elliot's Space Invaders quilt by Oh, Fransson!

ABC 123 quilt by Fresh Lemons

Siblings Together quilt top by Our Busy Little Bunch

Plus quilt by ShaShaLaRue on Flickr

So, what do you think?  Will you be participating in this year's 100 Quilts for Kids campaign?  If so, what design ideas have you been contemplating?  Feel free to confuse me even more with some great ideas!

E.



I'm hoping to link up to Thursday Think Tank over at Becca's.  The gorgeous Mrs MRL has recently welcomed a third daughter into the family... so if she's too busy to post today (I wouldn't be surprised!) at least pop over to say "congrats!" and see pics of her adorable bundle of joy, Ms O.  Aww!

TTT - The Returning Edition

Hellooooooooooo Blogland.  My name is Erin and I have been a bad, bad, bad blogger.  I'm so very sorry!  Please accept my sincerest apologies and kindly hold my hand as I take these first tentative steps back into this crazy world.

Truth be told, I have been meaning to get back to my little blog for some time now but... you know how these things go.  I'm just utterly shocked that 3 months have gone by.  3 MONTHS!  Oh my, that is just embarassing.


So, I figure, what better kick start is there than Becca's always fabulous and inspiring Thursday Think Tank.  Because, honestly, all I can think lately is - I need to get my blog on.

Firstly, let's clear up the distasteful stuff.  I have been hearing nasty rumours (no doubt being spread by the disgustingly evil Laura) that I have been renamed Missy Slack Creations.  Sure, it has a certain ring to it - a lovely charm, if you will - but it isn't entirely true.  Though I have not been posting I have, in fact, spent at least some time crafting.  Not much has actually been finished but I stand by my claim that THAT IS NOT THE POINT!  ;)

Ok, now that the unpleasantness is out of the way, it's time for me to shut up and move onto the picture portion of this post.  Because, well, you're no doubt sick of reading my ramblings but also... I'm spent.  This blogging stuff is hard work.

CLASSY CURVY TOTES

My favourite creation of late is this Curvy Classy Tote made just for moi.  I love it and use it nearly every day (yep, even if it slightly clashes with my outfit).  The fabric is from Jenean Morrison's Silent Cinema collection which I absolutely adore.  I also have another 10 prints stashed away as I await inspiration for the perfect quilt.

I have to admit, I love this bag pattern by Sweet Pea Totes and have (so far) made three - the one for me (above), another for my Mum  in a more neutral palette and, more recently, the one pictured below to sell (hopefully) in a friend's shop.  It is a quick, easy and very user-friendly project and is a fantastic way to showcase your favourite fabrics.

I only made one slight alteration to my first effort - and that was to include a second, smaller pocket for a mobile phone.  This has come in very handy and is now something I include every time.

QUILT TOPS

Embarassingly, I have a few quilt tops that are yet to be finished, including this string quilt made with blocks from the members of group 1 of the Quilt Club Australia Bee.  My month was January and, as per this post,  I requested an 8" block in brights, using this great tutorial.

 

The ladies did a fantastic job and, after I announced that the finished quilt was destined for charity, were extremely generous - with some members sending 4 blocks each!  Thank you ladies.  I promise to get this done and dusted very soon and then write a complete post mentioning you all individually.  Uh oh, did I just say "I promise..." ???

Unfinished quilts 2 & 3 are two versions of Cluck Cluck Sew's Road Trip Quilt.  The first, in girly pinks, blues, aquas and white was made with no intended purpose - other than to keep me busy and, therefore, sane.  Now that's done, though, I have still have no idea who to give it to... so the chances of it getting quilted and bound anytime soon are less than slim.

The second Road Trip-style quilt is this little boy version - made for Mr C's cousin's brand spanking new bub.  Ok, he's not quite brand spanking new anymore so I really need to get a move on and get this one completed and sent.  Only problem is, I'm being extremely picky with the quilting and have actually started twice already... and unpicked it all.  Anyone want to finish it for me?  Anyone?

UFO #4 is this adorable donkey.  Yep, I still love 'em.

This baby was originally started for Ruby who I made for a Christmas present last year.  The recipient's brother, Mr L, told me in no uncertain terms that the donkey would need a blanket for winter so I googled away and found this hilarious lovely design from way back when.  BUT... now that the top it finished I can't give it up.  I just can't.  Sorry Miss A but I'm picturing this one up on the wall in my new craft room.  Ahh.

So... onto Plan B for poor little Ruby (and her mum, Miss A).  This time I thought I'd use up all those tiny little pink scraps I have and try a ticker tape quilt.  Benefits are not only that it uses odd pieces but that it is also made using the QAYG method so, I figured, it might help me actually get something finished.  Or so I thought...

Hmm... it has, probably not surprisingly, reached a standstill.  Once I realised that things had gone a little wonky I got extremely disheartened and gave up.  What the hell is wrong with me?!?!?!?!?!  Does anyone else have this problem of being ridiculously judgemental?  Yes, yes, I know I just need to keep on keeping on.  Watch this space.
 
TAGGIE BLANKETS

More recently, okay yesterday, I started experimenting with taggie blankets for bubs.  I decided to use up scraps to begin with and thus, this little piece of loveliness, was born.

It measures 10" square and is the perfect size for little ones to handle.  I'm sure they'll also love the crinkliness with the extra layer added into the middle (any guesses?) and the soft flannelette back.  Aren't the owls just darling?!

Well, there you have it - some of the projects that I've been working on over the last 3 months.  Missy Slack Creations?  I think not!  There were also, of course, bee blocks and the like but I seem to always forget to take photos of those.  Doh. 

Now, I'm off to sew some more.  Seems I've inspired myself!  Fingers crossed it won't be so long until I'm back in Blogland again.  ;)

E.

I'm really hoping that Becca is hosting Thursday Think Tank this week.  Why don't you pop over to see...