Another Groovy Girls Club Project Completed

Am I very late or am I very early?  I prefer to think I'm very early.  I recently completed a Halloween table topper using Atkinson Designs pattern called Happy Holidays.  I bought fabric probably 4 years ago to make a Halloween table runner, and when I saw this pattern, I knew it was just perfect for this project.

The pattern gives directions for three sizes, small (20x23"), medium (30x35") and large (40x47").  The large is big enough to make into a tree skirt, and it gives the directions on how to do that.  The size I made for my Halloween table topper is the medium.  

I wanted to quilt it with some type of Halloween or fall quilting embroidery design on my Bernina 830, and found the perfect design in my collection.  The one I used was from Designs Sew Fine from Quilt Collection 1.  There are three sizes of the spider web, and I used the largest, which fit nicely into the Jumbo hoop.  I used a metallic thread that was a black and silver twist.  I was very happy with the results.  The picture above is a closeup of the stitchout of the design.  With the precise embroidery positioning of the Bernina 830, I was able to get my designs exactly where I wanted them.

Below is the finished topper, binding and all.  This was a great, quick project, and only took a few hours to complete from beginning to end.

I really look forward to attending Groovy Girls Club meetings at Shiisa Quilts in Bloomington, Indiana.  I always come away with great ideas and inspiration.  The projects are small enough and don't require big chunks of time, which is perfect for me.

Small Projects

Right now I am really loving doing small projects.  It is such a sense of accomplishment in an otherwise too busy and hectic life.  I hope to take on some larger projects before too long, and get back into some clothing making and finish some quilts.  I certainly have enough projects lined up to keep me busy for the rest of the year (and beyond....) on that front.

The beauty of doing small projects is I can try different and new techniques, they don't take huge chunks of time, and I have something useful at the end.  In the zippered bag below I've used new techniques for the zipper installation and for the machine appliquéd letter.  I also did a little free motion quilting.  This pattern is from Atkinson Designs book called Fat Quarter Fonts.  

The drawstring bag below is also from Atkinson, and she uses a cool technique for doing the casing for the drawstring.  I can see a lot of these in the future - they will make great gifts and are a canvas for some embroidery, an appliquéd design or decorative stitches before the final construction phase.  This one I made for myself as a shoe bag out of fun fabric I had in the stash.  

This past weekend I finished a Halloween table topper, and I'll post about it later.  The inspiration for all came from the Groovy Girls Club meetings at Shiisa Quilts in Bloomington, Indiana.

Have a great weekend and do some sewing!

Billie's Favorite Things - Update on Clip It Up

I thought I'd give an update on one of my favorite things - my Clip It Up by Simply Renee.  Since my original post, I have continued my organizing and I've added a lot more Clip It Ups.  These things are so HABIT FORMING, you can't have just one!  I have now added a mini, two more base units with upper tiers (one with an upper tier extension), a floor stand, and a ribbon holder.  I have been trying over the last couple of years to really get my sewing/quilting space organized, and with the Clip It Ups, I can really say I think I'm there.  I am so happy with how these worked out for my space and organization.  I can't give them enough praise!

Below are some pictures of my additional units and what I've used them for.

This is a base unit and upper tier that I am using for my purse/tote/bag/wallet patterns on the bottom and my purse hardware/supplies on the upper tier.

Floor Model with an extra tier.  These are larger sewing notions/patterns that are too big or bulky for the regular base unit.

Mini with miscellaneous sewing notions.  This one is located in between my cutting table and ironing workstation.

Base unit with upper tier and extension.  This one I am using for sewing patterns.

Ribbon organizer. 

I have this on the wall over my ironing station.

Most everything pictured on these was in drawers or stuffed in plastic containers.  They are now out and handy and I can find what I am looking for in an instant.  I'm in heaven!  It is amazing how much more creative you feel when you've got an organized space to work in.  Now if I could just translate that to the rest of my life!