Spring Scrappy Projects - LAMQG Tote Bag and Spider Web Pillow

The LA Modern Quilt Guild (LAMQG) organized a "Green" Tote Bag swap for the April meeting. The only rule was that some part of the bag had to be pieced or quilted. I decided the Friday before the Monday meeting to tackle my first tote bag.... and this was the result! I used all fabrics that I had on hand with the exception of the linen used for the lining, and finally made good use of the Improvisational Blocks I created at the Denyse Schmidt workshop I took last June. 

 The central part of each side was made up of the Blocks from the workshop - my pieced addition. The sides and red and white border were fabrics from a giveaway I won from Sew Modern a few weeks ago. 

 I used a very easy to follow tote bag tutorial from the Bijou Lovely Blog- 

http://www.bijoulovelydesigns.com/2010/05/market-tote-tutorial.html 

I like that this bag calls for a layer of interfacing to make it stronger and stiffer to the touch.

 The swap at the meeting was a "White Elephant" style with each bag being able to be stolen once. Mine was picked early on and stolen midway through - :)  I got a great pink and brown tote, with adorable popsicle fabric and other great details. Need to take a picture!

Me modeling my Tote!

 In between large projects, I like to tackle smaller ones, to learn a new skill and or pattern. I recently finished this large quilted floor pillow that I made using 4 Spider Web blocks.

 I dug into my stash and pulled out some bright pinks, reds, oranges and purples. I love the contrast against the grey. I used 2 of the Liberty of London fabrics I got as part of a scrap bag I bought from Purl Soho in New York. They are so soft and lightweight!

 Close up of the echo quilting with in each star.

The Pillow Back

Yellow and Grey Pillows and Runner - Jessica's wedding accessories

Pillow fronts

 My sweet cousin Jessica is getting married to Mike in late April 2012 in Del Mar, CA. Her wedding colors are the very modern Yellow and Grey. Jessica asked me if I could make some pillows for the white couches and ottomans that will make up the lounge area at her wedding -  and Oui La! 

 Jessica and I made a trip to Sew Modern and got these great graphic, modern prints. 

Pillow Backs - envelope enclosure, w/ contrasting binding

Runner top

 There was a lot of extra fabric, so we decided to do a runner that will be used on the entry, sign in table at the wedding. 

Close up - simple straight line quilting, and big block patchwork pattern

Centerpieces I made for Jessica's Bridal Shower which was last weekend.

Runner Back side

Film Strip Accent

I can't wait for the big day to see my cousin walk down the aisle and see these pillows/runner in action! I'll post some pictures from the wedding for sure.

Steve's Upcycled Shirt Quilt

Half Square Triangles

View of the quilting on the backside and a special Patchwork Shirt

A mix of Steve's button down shirt prints and some added quilting fabrics

Way back in the summer, I was in between quilt projects, and Steve was cleaning out his closet. He had a bag full of button down shirts that he no longer wears, and asked me if I could make a quilt out of them. I was up for the challenge! I decided to keep it simple with a Half Square Triangle layout and added some other coordinating fabrics that I had in my stash. All against an off-white background. This is what I came up with - It is a lap sized quilt and currently is placed on the arm of our big red chair that is Steve's TV watching spot. 

Corner Arrows

Steve came up with the idea to make a Patchwork Shirt out of some of the scraps. I think it's pretty clever!

Close up of the Patchwork Shirt- Buttons and all!

I had to put this quilt on hiatus in the Fall when a few other projects arose, but finished it earlier this year and we finally took it out for a photo shoot. Definitely the most masculine quilt I've made to date!

Jonah's Super Star Quilt

 

 

 

 

Super Star quilt for my 2 year old cousin, Jonah!

Stripey Backside - w/ his Initials - Jonah Arnold S.

My awesome cousins Jonathan and Lauren live far away in Michigan, and I wish I could see them more often. I was excited when they commissioned a custom quilt for their little boy, Jonah's, first big boy bed. Jonah is not only getting a new twin sized bed and quilt, but a new little sibling in less than a month!

Lauren and I collaborated on colors and design. She wanted a very similar quilt to one found on PB Kids, but more custom w/ light green accents and a reversible back. 

Hand Appliqued Stars using Green Embroidery Floss

 These stars were a learning process for me. I used stencils, a foundation layer, and turned edge applique for the first time. Not to mention Hand Appliqueing each star with a Blanket Stitch!

Straight Line Quilting

For the back I simply pieced strips of green, white, navy, light blue, and a light blue and white "ticking stripe" patterned fabric.

Jonah Arnold!

 Last minute addition was a throw pillow w/ a patchwork "J" and 2 appliqued stars.  

Envelope enclosure

J is for Jonah!

 Jonah's twin bed is on it's way, and according to his mom he can't wait to snuggle under his new quilt! Looking forward to the pictures of it in use. Congrats on your new bed and new sibling, Jonah Arnold....ENJOY!

Addison's Baby Quilt- Rainbow Hexies

 

My dear friend Meredith had her second daughter in late November and named her Addison. In honor of her arrival I made this Random Rainbow Hexagon Baby quilt for sweet little Addi. 

 Meredith and her family always decorate with lots of color, so I thought using all of the colors of the rainbow in this quilt would be appropriate for their newest addition.

I recently learned how to paper piece Hexagons (Hexies) and love that you can work on them not behind the sewing machine, but while relaxing on the couch with a guilty pleasure reality show on the TV. :)

 A is for Addi!

Photo shoot outside our apartment in Santa Monica - taken on Christmas Day - which obviously was beautiful!

Addi's quilt made it safe and sound to the Cooper's new home up north in Los Gatos last week, and I hope she and her big sister Mikayla enjoy snuggling under it!

PS - Happy 2012 everyone. Here is to a great year of quilting on this blog and other good stuff too :)!

Quilted Kindle Keepers

 Steve gave me a Kindle Touch recently for my birthday. I love it! So compact and easy to use. We were leaving to go to NYC for a holiday visit last week, and I needed a case to protect my Kindle while it took up residence in my purse. I sewed up the red and grey "Kindle Keeper" by following this tutorial: http://frizzylizzie.blogspot.com/2011/02/patchwork-kindle-cover-tutorial.html

Before we left I also whipped up 2 more Kindle Keepers that are slightly larger to gift to Steve's sister and his Dad's wife as they have different Kindle versions. They loved them!

 The backsides

 Not only are they handy for travel, but a great cover/cozy for when it is resting on my bedside table. 

I finished my first book on the Kindle while on our trip- "State of Wonder" by Ann Patchett and highly recommend it. Let me know if you are in need of a Kindle/Ipad/Nook Keeper - they are a fun small project!

Book Club Holiday Gift Exchange - Placemats!

 It's that time of year again, Secret Santas, White Elephant Parties, and my book club's annual Holiday meeting and gift exchange!  I mixed it up this year, and decided to make my gift and went with these placemats. I used Alissa Haight Carlton's pattern -  http://www.handmadebyalissa.com/placemat-pattern/  and changed up the colors. The red, linen and cream are holiday inspired, but still can be used year round.

Close up of the detailed straight-line quiliting

The back-side

We had our dinner and meeting last night at Kate's and do a "White Elephant" style gift picking with stealing up to 2 times. My bag wasn't chosen till the almost end, and I think Coral was happy to receive them. I hope she and her family enjoy them through the holiday season and beyond!