Jerisew, Are Those Empty Fabric Drawers???

Why, yes, they appear to be empty! I guess I better go back home for a bit to get more fabric up here, especially the Woolfelt! I have been going through a Woolfelt withdrawal lately. These are storage units we picked up at Ikea the last time we were there. Seriously, that store is just my favorite. Years ago, I had a home business, Buttons and Rainbows. I made appliqued clothing to sell to stores. Most of the appliques were out of small dot fabrics and I stored them in wire drawers, which, at that time, were found in most all big box stores. Nowadays, those wire storage drawers can be found in expensive container stores, but only plastic drawers can be readily found elsewhere. When I saw these at Ikea, I knew that was what I needed for the studio. We were going to build a closet on the wall to close in the fabrics, but I may just leave it open for a while. I am enjoying the "loft look" of it for now. Plus, it is going to be easy to find what I need. I feel a serious de-stashing happening. Either through lots of scrap quilting projects or through fabric give-a-ways. The second shot, although not a good shot, is one from my current sewing machine loction out the window. It doesn't do it justice. The water and sun were straight out of a Hamm's Beer Commercial. I would love to get my hands on one of those old beer signs that move. Weren't they just fascinating to watch? Jerilynn

Hmmm, the Blocks are Not Straight!

Now, you have to remember that this quote came from a man who has spent the last two months, non-stop, nailing boards and installing counters and shelves, and laying floor - ALL of which has to be straight! He knew, of course, that I intended these blocks to be crooked. This is a project also from the book, Fresh Quilting by Malka Dubrawsky. I had never tried "improvisational" piecing before, and, let me tell you, fun, fun, fun, fun! No rotary cutting, just whack off strips of fabric with scissors and sew away. If something is a bit too big, cut a chunk off. To little? Add another piece! Very liberating and I love the movement. The book calls this a baby quilt, and how fun is it for a baby! I am not sure what this will turn out to be, but I sure will let you know. We put together four stacks of wire drawer units with ten drawers each. I have about a third of the drawers full. I am heading back to our home this week and will bring back to the cabin much more sewing stuff. The drawer units were going to be in a closet, but I am enjoying the color and easy access. I will try to take cabin update pictures for you very soon. So much has gotten done!!! Jerilynn

I Got to Sew Today!!!

Two fun projects!! Yesterday I had the chance to clean and organize the new studio here at the cabin so when I came up to sew today, everything was ready to go! Unfortunately, in my cleaning frenzy, I managed to throw out the instructions that I wrote up for the Ipad pouch I made two days ago. Duh! I figured it out again, and made a cream and navy pouch for my Ipad. The main fabric is a natural colored Osnaburg and needed a little something. I added three rows of decorative machine stitches and that seemed to help. I also extended the pocket higher in the back - it will be good to tuck some papers inside (Ipad pouch instructions, perhaps?). I got a comment from Annie, the creator of the Soft and Stable and she said that the white color is in stock and now shipping...looks like some internet shopping is in store tomorrow! I bought the book, Fresh Quilting by Malka Dubrawsky a few months ago. I love her approach to design and color - quite fun and playful. She is the designer of the round potholders I made a few months back. The project for the sewing machine cover has been on my "want to sew list" for a while now, and I decided today was the day. I used Kona Cottoms Bright Colors Roll-ups. They are strips cut into 2.5" widths. I combines those solids with a solid black sashing. The back print, which I failed to photograph, is a bold, wild sewing print. A little cream and black dot is the binding. I made the cover smaller than the one in the book, because I keep the machine in the sewing table most of the time. Instead of 84 blocks, I only had to make 56. Such a deal. I decided against a free-motion swirly quilting design in favor of a stitch in the ditch quilting. I felt that simple quilting preserved the blocky look of the patchwork. It only took a few hours...a great afternoon project! Jerilynn

Ipad Pouch

Our oldest granddaughter, Courtney, bought her mother the pink Ipad pouch for Mother's Day. Problem is, the color wasn't really quite what was desired. Courtney asked me if I could duplicate the pouch when they came up for the Fourth. Courtney picked out the green fabrics to match her mother's Ipad skin. I used Byannie's Soft and Stable for the padding. It is a great product the is perfect for this type of application. I have the original black color and I just noticed on her website that starting in July it will come in white! It is also great for bags of all kinds. I added hook and loop tape instead of the snap, and the pocket (in front and back) is lined and has an interfacing added for body. Next one I make I will make the pocket go up farther in the back to hold a cord or some notes. The flower trim on the flap is just for fun - no function. I also extending the padding a bit to cover both ends of the Ipad when the flap is closed - extra protection! I see all kinds of ways to personalize this pattern - applique, embroidery, buttons, patchwork. The new pouch is going back home tomorrow, but Courtney says I can still keep the original pink one. I will show you new versions as they happen. Jerilynn

Whew!

Quite a busy few days around here. 12 to 14 people sleeping in various rooms and beds - fishing, swimming, eating, eating, eating, watching fireworks, making a campfire, eating. Everything went smoothly and I think most everyone had enough room to spread out. Today was the military funeral for Grandpa Jim at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in St. Paul. We all got up and going pretty early and met a few other family members at the line-up site. The ceremony was very well done and impressive. We had a great lunch afterward in St. Paul, Tim and Aaron left for Appleton, Grandma McDonough left for Florida, and Cindy and Jonah left for Idaho. One bunch went on to Mall of America, and Carl and I tackled Ikea. The red dressers I have been eyeing for a while came home with us! So, my creation for today was my assembly of the first dresser. Carl helped a bit with the final touches. Love the color and the size...very roomy. I will show you what else we got on another post! Hope your 4th was good, too. Jerilynn

Grandkids...Love Em!

All that was created today was some pretty wonderful memories. Weather was perfect, food was delicious, and the beverages were tasty. A great day. Jerilynn

Studio Bath Done in Time for Holiday Party!

Good thing the studio bath is done. Judy, Nick, Briana, Barb, Tim, Courtney, Aaron, Cindy, Jonah, Eleanor, Carl and I are all here. We actually have a couple of beds left over! It was crazy hot outside today and there was a lot of jumping-in-the-lake activity. Now we have severe thunderstorms coming through which adds to the party excitement! I am showing you a couple of shots of the bathroom, and how I turned some old spools into a toilet paper holder and some wall hooks. At the window - a quilt I made quite a few years ago that has mostly garden and bug fabrics. The quilting is a loopy meander with some of the loops forming little ladybugs and bumblebees. Tomorrow is Courtney's graduation party and the weather should be much cooler. Jerilynn