2 left!

If you haven't seen ~C's post about this quilt...her pictures are great!

I am so proud of this quilt! It's from Quilts, Baby! I've finally decided to abandon sewing my binding on all at once with a zig-zag, and it's made such a difference! I think this is the best binding I've ever made! I guess there is good reason to follow instructions. sometimes.
The back is just the off-white. I should have taken a picture...With the pieced binding, it really is pretty.

This leaves me with just 2 quilts in my unfinished box...And I've been working diligently on one of them all weekend.
Um...I did just sign up for & pick out my fabric to start another quilt for a quilt along. This one is to practice free-motion quilting! I am very excited!! (though with school starting in a week, free time is about to become very rare)--I'll post a link to the hostess next weekend as Ive forgotten to save it & Can not for the life of me remember which of the 300+ blogs in my bloglines it is!!grrrr.

Sewing Tuesday

I've been meeting a friend to sew together on Tuesdays. Sew what? Christmas gifts & stuff!! --cancelled today 'cause one of my boys was a bit sick, just in case...but he's fine. I really missed it though!! It is one of my favorite days.--refreshing to be productive and have a good visit. (plus I adore her kid!)

Poor me.

But...

Today I did play my first game of football ever in my life! Adults vs. our 5th-8th grade flag football team at our school. It.was....AWSOME!! I'm excited for another at the end of next years season, too! Felt good to run & goof off with the kids! I think I may be sorry tomorrow..worth it!

Rail Fence

Strip piecing is fast! I like fast quilts! Purple is not my favorite color. But...this is for a little girl. Little girls like purple. Pink would've been better. and glitter.

One more Christmas gift done! It isn't pink, but I think she'll like it. (pink is the recipient's favorite color)--I've got a cute idea for matching gifts for my 2 nieces that I'm hoping to get to before Friday...if only my house would clean itself.

I'm working on a really fun Halloween project right now. Fun & nervous actually!! Lots of red felt & no pattern...

Sometimes I Sew Skirts

Here are all the skirts that I've made & have been hanging in my closet. You'd think I wear skirts all the time...but, I don't. I really prefer jeans. I do like to make the occasional skirt, though! (I really wish I had more of that pink&brown stripe--it's so cute & cosy!)

This one, I made two of. Like 2 or 3 years ago. One was too small and one was too big. Now, this one fits perfectly...boo! It's the big one. Maybe, I should go for a walk or something. Ah well. I sewed the hook on it a few weeks ago...now I can wear it to work!

Busy Little Quilting Bee. The end.

So, these are the last blocks for the last person for the Busy Little Quilting Bee. I've completely enjoyed this game!! And I got to make a lot of quilt blocks that were hidden away in my head for later! Like these! I saw a quilt once in a shop made of similar blocks and have wanted to replicate it since...now I have!!

A

And This is my Quilt! It is so perfect!! (ok, plenty of flaws, but I won't mention those!) Just what I envisioned!! I really really hope my nephew loves it!-The back has some skull & cross bone fleece and some red fleece pieced..shoulda had a pic-oh well! I really think it is one of the best I've made!--And I love that 16 different women all over the country had a hand in it! So rad!!

So, that's it. the end of this sewing adventure. Now I'm off to finish the 3 other quilts I have in various states of progress. Hopefully sometime before the end of the decade!(or2)

This & That

I made another drawstring bag. This one to match my beach bag!-(Thanks friends! It's so perfect I made accessories!) The bag will hold my suit or water shoes. Yay!

And...I'm still working on Christmas gifts. Oh, yes. I said Christmas! It's really just around the corner. Merry! Merry!

Pirate booty

What could this be?

A pirate's treasure map! Fantastic! All the plunder none of the pillaging!
(if I turn it over...)

Yo-ho. Yo-ho. A pirate's life for me!

I'm so excited about this toy! I have just the nephew to give it to! I think it'll get quite abused and used. Nothing would make me happier! (I know it's a winner because my own boys told me I should make one for them, too!)

Shop Hopping!

I spent 4th of July weekend with my mom driving down the Oregon coast just the two of us! All the way down to Florence (and a bit past Coos Bay from there). It was the most relaxing, spoiled time I've spent I think ever. I did miss my men a bit when the sun started to go down on Independence Day and no one was lighting anything on fire but, it was so nice to take a break from all the day-to-day stuff and just chill (and sew). Thank you, Mom, for a great time!!

The fun of the Shop Hop is getting a kit to make a quilt block a each shop. Mom doesn't quilt so, she gave me hers. I sewed them all up right away an will have a "free" quilt to show soon! I also bought a lot of fabric. So fun to see the different styles in each shop (The one in Wheeler is my fave).

I now have several more projects to do! I've planned a quilt & a pirate map & a Christmas stocking for myself & a pin cushion with all this great fabric. I love new fabric!

All caught up!

These are nearly the last of my Busy Little Quilting Bee blocks! There is one more pack of fabric and then it's over. Dana has already finished her quilt...My top is finished, I just need to buy a backing. So excited to have time to sew now school is out. I do need to get back into a getting things done mode soon, though. But not now, It's Saturday!

Almost there Busy Little Quilting Bee!!

I'm really pleased with these!! And Have the last two all planned (in my head anyway!) Spent the day today at the creek with my boys and nephews! I love the creek!--Summer has officially started!

Monday was

Layout for Nephew's quilt from my Busy Little Bee blocks

1/2 a set of napkins from an Ikea duvet

Bettyninja's Busy Little Bee block (took most of the day)

Great!!! It was my birthday. And I got the whole day to myself to sew! And I did! Between visits and gifts and treats and phone calls from family and friends! I felt so loved. So very loved! My husband and boys cleaned the house and made me a tasty dinner and I wore my pajamas all day! Just what I wanted. I'm so grateful and still counting my blessings! (and counting the days till school's out*15*)

Makin' an apron

So, I've been following Tie One On for EVER...I love it! all about aprons, A theme, and the gallery after time's up! RAD! I have never submitted one. Though I looove making aprons. BUT...Now's the time. The theme is Pie Makin' Apron! How perfect. (I love makin' pies!) It's not due 'till July1-I ought to be able to squeeze in sewing time for a little ole apron by then. Especially one for makin' pie in. --I'm thinking a nice sturdy one for catching all the fruit juice. (And I love Amy Karol-She's the author of Tie One On. Bend The Rules Sewing is likely my favorite craft book.)

More Blocks

These are my latest Busy Little Quilting Bee blocks. I love them! Of course there are other things being worked on, these are just the only things I finish(well, mostly)!! I realy must improve my time management skills--or give up sleep.

more bee blocks

In a little hurry, I've got some tidying and shopping to do in preparation for a certain boy's 12th birthday party (smelly boy sleepover tomorrow!)So quick pics today! I am hoping to sneak in sewing tomorrow while the boys party down with the wii and movies all night!-they won't need me :)

Latest bee blocks

They aren't quite what I'd pictured, but I'm pretty pleased. After finishing these, my head started popping with ideas for rainbowy blocks (that's what Sarah asked for for her Busy Little Quilting Bee blocks; fun huh!) Things like a red circle surrounded by the other colors, or a pinwheel or stripes on point or overlapping shapes in different colors or a small color wheel...maybe I'll have time to try one more...I like my "new" ideas better than what I did.

I've still got 3 packs of fabric to sew & send out for the bee! They are all calling to me!!

valentine drop

valentine-drop
Originally uploaded by sometimes Julia sews

I've spread a little love today. I love the Toy Society!

I have a cold and it's snowing!!

the cold is yucky, but the snow makes me happy(I may be alone here, but it's so cozy and pretty!)
So, I only made it three days of finishing ufo's!...and one day sewing mustaches to fulfill a spontaneous promise to my class. I had to do a little research for ideas and was highly inspired by lupin's disguises(check out Etsy for more great mustache stuff)!.

Here are the projects I did finish:

Another sock buddy! These make great baby gifts!!

A wall hanging for a fairly patriotic little nephew.( the quilting is sideways, but I am NOT picking it all out!)

And this crazy apron made of neck ties. This will be a gift...it's made of her Dad's old ties!

Up next?...a pile of busy little quilting bee blocks! how many can I finish in one day?

Sewing away!

Sewed 14 mustaches for pre-school today...I have 2 finished ufo's to show when I have time...and I've started a valentine softie, I've my Busy little bee blocks to do (2 for Jan and Feb's fabric is on the way!)AND really want to play along with the Sew Mama Sew doll quilt sew along Whew! Good times :)

finished project week!

Check out Artful Ties for a link to the necktie snake instructions--I didn't really read all the directions, so mine's a little different. I like him, though.

I've set myself a goal for this week...Finish one ufo each day for 7 days! I'm off to a good start-I finished these TWO projects last night!! On the table for today...well, there's plenty to choose from! I'd better get busy!

keeping warm

grey-gauntlets
Originally uploaded by sometimes Julia sews

I whipped up these fingerless mitts (gauntlets) from the book Sew What Fleece. They are a little too long and the thumb holes are just a bit too small, but that'll be easy to fix. The grey fleece was a remnant, so 50% off AND on sale so another 50% off Super cheap!!(like $2.50 for the yard!) so these were less that a dollar to craft!!

I have been busy sewing on a couple of quilts, but those take forever. All the trimming and ironing is a little boring. But in a good way :)