Sunday, March 27, 2011

My current project!

Every so often, I get inspired by certain projects, and I realize how easy some of them would be to make, if only I did a bit of prep work. So, now when I start a new project, I cut at least one 2 1/2" strip of each of the fabrics I'm using - and then I set that strip aside. I do that with any Fat Quarters that I buy, as well (and I can't seem to go to any kind of quilt show or shop-hop without buying at least a few FQs!)
The best part about making those strips is that when I want a quick project, I can grab those strips, and I can quickly get a lot done it a short time - and seriously, how long does it take to cut an extra strip when you're already cutting 30 or 40 for another quilt project?
I saw an online request for quilts that are desperately needed for an organization, and as I was trying to decide on what specifically to do, my pre-cut strips started calling my name.... I had seen a picture of a really fun quilt online, and I had printed it off for reference. All it really needed was a lot of 2 1/2" strips, cut into 8 1/2" - 9" lengths. Sew 4 of them together, press all the seams to one side, and trim the finished block to 8 1/2" square. Then, arrange the blocks however you want!
Here's a pic of a few completed blocks, and some of the strips, and the other pic is the layout I'll probably use:

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

More new cards!



How can it be March 15th already? My days have been so busy lately, and yet, I can't really point to anything significant that I did... maybe because I've been spending whole days in the church library, inputting all of our resources onto a computer program. We're finally joining the 20th century!
I have had some sewing time, just don't have anything to post yet. I've stolen a few moments here and there to make a few cards though, and that's what you get to see today.
I'm hoping to send a box of things to the garage sale at my local scrapbooking store, so I've been going through magazines and assorted pictures of cards, trying to decide what to keep and what to sell. These 2 cards were from one of those magazines (can't remember which one) - they're both "Thinking of You" cards. I tend to send out a lot of these - they work for so many situations.
The little chipboard frame came from a sheet of frames that I got from Close to My Heart about 4 years ago - I never even opened the package, and was going to put them in the yard sale too, and then found this card.... so, the frames stay here for now!