WIP Wednesday 6/18/14

Yesterday I shared some peeks at the SewCanShe sew-along blocks I was working on.  Today - - - I have an (almost complete) quilt top to share!

Isn't it cool how those two blocks work together to create a completely different look?!

I'm loving it so far.... but thinking I want to add a border or two before the top is officially complete.

What do you think???

Right now it would be approximately 36" x 45" if I finished it without any borders

Linking up with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced - can't wait to see what everyone else is working on!

Still a WIP

A month and a half ago, I shared a bit about my personal journey - as I am a WIP.  This past week, I have hit a few more milestones / completed a few goals - - - so what better time to share that with you than another WIP Wednesday?!

May 31, 2014 I completed my last run for the couch-to-5k training program - and 9 weeks prior I was sure I wanted to attempt it, but not so sure about my success.

That day, I ran 4.28 miles (not the 3.1 (5k) plus warm up / cool down "required" by the program).  One friend kindly pointed out "you realize you ran more than a 5k, right?!" :)  Yes!  Was it purposeful?  Partially..... I had plans to run at least the 5k - maybe a bit more.  But I also drove and parked my car just outside of town and then ran through our small city - and got a bit farther away from my car than I realized - - - so I had no choice, I had to run back to it!

The feeling of accomplishment - it's empowering!  I was NOT a runner 9 weeks ago.  I hated it.  I was making HUGE strides in my fitness goals - - - using awesome HIIT workouts / strength training..... but running?  Yah, right.

But when others tell me "yah, right" I see it as a challenge - so I finally decided it was time to see my own doubt as a challenge.

After that run, I immediately downloaded a 10k run training app.  Did I ever think I'd be attempting to run 10k?  NOPE.... but I didn't think I could / would care to run a 5k either!

Yes... that's the same shirt (and kiddo mess) in each photo!

This weekend is my birthday and I'm SO excited to be celebrating it by running the Graffiti 5k with some friends and family (my first "official" run!) - then spending the rest of the weekend surrounded by those I love.  It's the perfect way to celebrate another year in the books - and the last 5 months of HARD work!

I'm not done.... not at all.  I never will be.  As I accomplish my goals, I set new ones.  One I've got on the books right now is attempting to find a better balance - again.  This commitment to fitness and health is taking a ton of focus and, well... time.  My sewing machine has been severely neglected - and really, that's okay.... but I am starting to miss it - so it's time to re-focus and put together a strategy to be able to do it all! :)

Still a WIP..... but celebrating the wins along the way!

Oh..... and because you're probably confused and thinking "I thought I was following the blog of a fabric addict / sewing mama!?" - check out these pretty fabrics my friend Alyssa from Calm and Carrion sent me the other day!  So sweet!  Riley Blake, Blend, Anthology... yum!  I count these as a WIP too because I think they'll look really pretty all sewn up together - - - so I'm going to add them to my "fun" sewing list!

Linking up with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced - hoping to draw some inspiration and motivation from what everyone else is working on! :)

WIP Wednesday - 5/14/14

After some help a few weeks back from a friend, I got 1 of 3 bins of my scraps sorted by color into plastic bins - - - and then realized I definitely needed more (bins... not scraps.....)

So I picked up more bins.... and this weekend I roped another friend (hi Mackenzie!) into helping me organize the other 2 (and a half..... because I had since made more scraps) bins.  We chatted, we laughed, and pretty quickly (relatively speaking, of course!) - they were sorted

Now what do I do with all these pretty scraps?!

{Not pictured: rainbow scraps from Maureen Cracknell's recent de-stash.... yes, I realize I *may* have a "problem"}

My hubby actually came up with one idea - - - and I'm going to give it a try this weekend for an upcoming auction.... but it definitely won't use ALL of these scraps (and I'm bound to make LOTS more).

Maybe once I FINALLY start cutting out my Avatrix Medallion Quilt I'll get on a medallion kick and make a scrappy version of that center block for a pillow?!  Hmmmmm.....

So I'd love to know what your favorite scrap-busting projects are!

Linking up with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced - can't wait to see what others are working on!

WIP Wednesday 5/7

My customers have been picking out some FUN fabrics / themes lately {check out this Alice quilt I finished up over the weekend for a customer}!  

This week I'm working on a gift set that includes a mini quilt, some burp cloths, bibs, and a onesie.  It has a superhero theme and I just love the bright & fun fabrics I'm getting to work with.

Here's a peek at the mini quilt - a simple, double-sided quilt made from this comic book print on one side.....

..... and these fun superhero words on the other!

I've got it quilted (some straight-line quilting outlining many of the comics) - and I just need to bind it.  Then on to the rest of the gift set!

What a great gift - and I'm having fun working with such awesome prints.

I'm linking up with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced - excited to see what everyone else is working on!

Wednesday already!?

For whatever reason - maybe it's the wonderful sun we are getting here in Washington? - this week is flying by.  I shouldn't be surprised.... as the month of April was the quickest month yet this year!  But here we are - welcome to Wednesday or as my 3.5 year old says "hummmmp daaaaaaaaaay!" (and the 1.5 year old mimics this pretty well!)

Even with a fairly quiet blog and Facebook page I have been working a ton the last week.  Some of the sewing was for gifts / upcoming blog hops - so posting pictures is delayed - but I've been checking things off the to-do list and sneaking in fun time in the sun - playing outside, a family run after the hubby got home from work yesterday, and dinner on our back deck!

This week I FINALLY cut into a beautiful large-scale floral print from the Ashbury Heights line for Riley Blake.  I have a jelly roll of this line stashed away for a "someday" project - and will save enough of the floral for backing - but a friend of mine fell in love with it for a dress for her daughter - and I LOVE how it is coming along!

I shared this "peek" yesterday on Instagram

Finishing it up today so it can get in the mail - - then on to some sewing for ME (gasp!) - and my April quilt blocks for the various BOM's / QAL's I'm participating in.  Hubby suggested I work on the May blocks this weekend, too.  Hmmmm.... smart man?!

Linking up with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced - excited to see what everyone else is working on this week!

WIP Wednesday - Avatrix Medallion fabrics

Phew - Wednesday again?!

It's been a LONG week and a half around here - with my main sewing machine needing an unscheduled trip to the repair shop (boo!) and long days / nights of working for the hubby (double boo!).... it's been crazy!  Add to that a to-do list with lots of firm deadlines.... and well, it's been quiet on the blog!

But..... The beginning of this week has brought progress! {thanks to 4:30am starts to my days and sneaking in exercise that helps re-energize me!}

I am feeling a *bit* out of my comfort zone and will definitely be pushing my limits by attempting the Avatrix Medallion Quilt - but I'm excited for the tips & tricks shared by Oh Fransson! during the upcoming quilt-a-long.

I have been wresting with the color scheme / fabric choices.  As in spending HOURS upon hours on a bazillion {yep, that many!} fabric shop websites / blogs / pinterest.  Yikes.

I never work with solids.  Like never ever.  But I'm here to challenge myself.

So my fabric choices are {mainly} solids.  I just *had* to throw a few prints in there (one per color group).

I will be using the white-based "Confetti" in turquoise (part of the Minimalista line for AGF) for my white (because solid white still gives me the heebie jeebies!)

Then I have 5 fabrics in each color group: gray (the one in the middle will also be used for borders), turquoise, green, yellow / light orange, and dark orange / red.  The majority of the solids are Michael Miller Cotton Couture.  There are also a few Pure Elements solids - as well as Laura Gunn's Painter's Canvas (gray textured fabric), Violet Craft's Domino Dots (turquoise), Lizzy House Pearl Bracelet (lime), AGF Chromatics - Pointelle (yellow), and Denyse Schmidt's Dotted Leaf (red).

Want every.last.detail. about each of these fabrics?  Check out my Pinterest Board for this project HERE!

It took me FOREVER to make this decision.  A huge thanks to the friends & family that helped put up with my constant "this turquoise or THIS turquoise?!" questions!

I'm excited that one of my friends is going to split the fabric with me and we will be making matching quilts!  Yippee!  We. Can. Do. This.

My fabric should be here later this week thanks to the super fast shipping over at Hawthorne Threads.  I plan on giving them a look-over once they get here because it's SO tough to gauge colors online - and editing if needed at that point.

If I thought this step was hard I'm REALLY in for it when we actually start MAKING this quilt, huh?!

Care to join in?  You can read more about the sew-a-long HERE.

I am linking up with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.  Can't wait to see what everyone else is working on!

I am a WIP

Thanks to my sewing machine deciding to freak out and stop working on Monday (read: now I'm sewing on my "backup" machine) and today being a BIG day the focus of my WIP Wednesday today is going to be slightly different.

Because I am a WIP.

We all are, really.... but today is a big day in the "Kim as a WIP" world.  Today is Day 90 of my Bikini Body Mommy 90 day challenge.  I promise this is not a sponsored post.  I promise I AM the girl who HATES running and puts exercise / eating well / making time for ME last.  But that has changed.

This photo below.... it freaks me out.   It makes me uncomfortable.  The day 1 photo?  It's almost like that nightmare where you're giving a speech and you're naked.

I am a WIP.

90 days ago - January 17, 2014 - a friend of mine posted about a "killer 8 minutes" of a workout she was giving a try.  I asked about it - and joined a group on Facebook - and thought I would give it a go.  The first day of this challenge is a fit test - 8 minutes.... psh - I could handle 8 minutes!

Holy moly.

50 seconds of activity, 10 seconds rest - immediately move to the next activity.

Speed Squats, High Knees, Push Ups, Jump Squats, Tricep Dips, Burpees, Alternating Lunges, Elbow Plank (hold as long as possible - could be more than 50 seconds).

On day 1 I wasn't sure what each of those exercises was.... but I learned.  Quickly.

Today is day 90.  90 days of a 6-days-a-week workout routine.  Alternating strength days and cardio days (though she is NOT joking anyone - the strength days are awesome cardio, too - and the cardio days are building strength!)

Over the last 90 days I have gained strength, courage, confidence, and respect for myself.  I have become accountable.  I have modeled healthy choices - food and exercise - to my kiddos.  I have battled through TOUGH workouts and "yah, right!" moments.  I did not miss a workout.  Not one.  Not when we were on a 9-day vacation.... not when life was crazy (when isn't it?!).  Not when I thought "ugh, I just don't WANT to!".

I did all this with an awesome hubby by my side - pushing himself through the workouts, too!

By the numbers:
Speed squats: 39 / 37 (though I KNOW that my squats were ALL full squats on day 90 - huge difference!)

High knees: 107 / 120

Push ups: 30 (knees) / 30 (full!!!!) - this one is a HUGE accomplishment for me. I have not done more than a few full push-ups since high school when I hurt my shoulder. To have strengthened my body enough that I can now do them - and a BUNCH of them is a HUGE win!

Jump squats: 27 / 34

Tricep dips: 18 / 25

Burpees: 9 / 12

Alternating lunges: 19 / 24

Elbow Plank: 54 seconds / 1:12

Weight: -5.5lbs (I gained in the 90 days, then lost it all and more)

But I am STILL a work in progress.

Completing this challenge is not the finish line - not even close.  This is just the beginning and a wonderful example to myself that I CAN do whatever I put my mind to (especially when surrounded by people who are pushing through with me!).

For anyone who is curious about this challenge you should definitely check out Briana's website / facebook page / youtube videos.  The workouts are FREE.  The videos?!  You'll see her sweating and struggling and having to modify and kicking BUTT!  I have tried a few workouts... and a few diets, etc.  This one just clicked for me!  Oh.... and BBM 2.0 starts May 5th!  I'll be participating - and have recruited a bunch of friends who are excited about it thanks to that "hard to post" photo near the beginning of the post!

So..... I am a WIP - but I am proud of my progress so far.  Oh.... and I don't know that I can say "I HATE running" anymore..... shhhhhh, don't tell!

Cell phone selfie (a friend of mine and I sent them to each other after every workout for accountability) - smiling after a run?!  What?!

In case you're stressing out because you feel like none of this has to do with quilting / sewing / my creative life.... a) it does!  Last night I purposefully ran before working so that I could be energized and ready to go... and b) here are a few sewing WIPs on my table! :)

Hanging kitchen towels about 90% complete

Yellow / white chevron /// black "solid" - for an upcoming project for my boys!

--------------------------------------

Linking up with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced - can't wait to see what everyone else is working on!

WIP Wednesday - a special project

I can't share much about this project.... but a friend approached me and of course I couldn't say no!

A peek at what I'm working on....

Last year I walked two Susan G. Komen 3-day (60 mile) walks - raising $4600 for SGK through my participation and helping with the $2300 each of my walking partners needed to raise to participate.

Me and my boys - San Francisco - Jun 2013

These walks will be something I never forget.

Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge - after a LONG first day - June 2013

I know, I know, there are all sorts of political debates about SGK and other organizations out there - or the color pink - or... you name it.  I choose not to focus on that.

My awesome friend (and walking partner) Heather and me - San Francisco 3-day - June 2013

I choose to focus on this... I am doing SOMETHING.  I know that.

"Baby" brother and me ready to start the Seattle 3-day - September 2013

My favorite sign from either walk.  I got a few blisters during the first walk - and they hurt - but they didn't require chemo.

The people I met, the love I felt, the stories I heard and witnessed, the support I was shown by friends and family - monetarily, emotionally, and by actually taking steps right next to me in training and during the walks.  Those things are what I am passionate about.

(left) pausing on the I-90 floating bridge in Seattle  - - (right) My amazing hubby was a stand-in walker with me for day 2

I walked 120 miles last year in those two weekends - but I didn't stop walking when I crossed that finish line.

3-day success - San Francisco - June 2013

60 miles complete - Seattle - September 2013

So this pink project I'm working on.... actually a few pink projects... are pretty special - and making me antsy to walk another 60 miles.....

The loves of my life - supporting me (and surprising me with homemade shirts - - - even Mr. Eggo is crafty!) - after finishing the San Francisco SGK 3-day - June 2013

Linking up for WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced - I am link #69 -  can't wait to see what others are working on (and eventually share with you my finished projects)

WIP Wednesday

This week I'm working on a few custom orders, a pattern review for a PDF pattern designer (which will include some great pics of something I made ON a kiddo - wahoo!), stock for my Etsy shop, and trying out a few patterns I have had for a while and have never sewn up.

Oh..... and Project Quilting!  Guess I should get to work! ;-)

This morning I worked on sewing up six adorable dresses - one for a custom order, the rest for shop stock.

I got them partially constructed..... but I still have a bit of sewing to do tonight!

I posted this picture on my Facebook Page and many people thought the wider chevron was brown / white.  Obviously my computer didn't do a good job of representing those colors (even with an attempt at editing) - it's gray & white!

Sleeves!

I'm considering resetting my expectations for what size project I should / will complete for this week's Project Quilting challenge.  We'll see.  If I don't make a quilt, my plan is to do a quilted throw pillowcase.  Both will be made eventually..... and I guess I'll know better by the end of the week which order they'll be made in! :)

Happy Hump Day (both of our boys LOVE to YELL "hump daaaaaaaaaaaay")

Linking up with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced - can't wait to see what others are working on!

WIP Wednesday

While I've mainly posted about my quilting adventures, I actually spend the majority of my sewing time making custom clothes and other items for my business, Eggo in the Oven.

This weekend I worked my way through some custom orders - finishing up a few dresses, pants, skirts, and onesies.  Included in that list is a sibling set - I always love working on these and having fun mixing & matching to create a great coordinated look.

I'm making a dress, tunic, and necktie for the three cuties.  I was able to get the dress and tunic sewn up - - - just finishing up the tie and a few more items and this order will ship out!

Ruffled Wrap Top - size 8/10

The tunic and dress are patterns I am sewing for the first time - - - and I LOVE how they turned out!

"Blondie" dress - size 4/5

Other items on my sewing list for this week / weekend:

Custom onesie

Birthday shirt

Zoe's keepsake quilt

Linking up with Work in Progress Wednesday with Freshly Pieced - can't wait to see what everyone else is sewing!

{and yes.... it's almost Thursday..... I spent all day with a 1.5 year old on my lap / in my arms - sick kiddos are NO fun!}

WIP Wednesday

Earlier this week, my friend and her mom came over so her mom could teach me about foundation paper piecing.  I had read about it, and looked at "how-to's" - but have never attempted it (mainly due to my lack of "free time" - but also because it was a little confusing).  Well, my friend's mom is an awesome quilter who has also written a sampling of FPP patterns - - - awesome!

I had seen their construction line and KNEW they would be the perfect designs for me to start with - as I know Colby would LOVE a construction-themed quilt!

So late last week they dropped by my house with a 3-ring binder full of every pattern printed out and stored safely in plastic sleeves - - - and a bunch of 4T boys clothes {double score!!!}.  Then on Monday, they came to my house, and my friend Kelly played with my boys (though Brendan, the 17 month old was being awfully clingy.... so I also did a bit of one-handed work!) while her mom showed me the basics - and walked me through my first FPP piece - a construction cone {used as a spacer for other construction vehicle blocks}

Isn't it fun?!  

I can't wait to work on the dump truck.... and front loader... and.......!!!!

And yes... I have been pinning other free FPP patterns ever since.....

Linking up with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced - I'm link #167 - can't wait to see what everyone else is working on!

WIP Wednesday - Zoe's quilt {progress!}

After a wonderful vacation with a little bit of sewing sprinkled in - I was excited to get back behind the sewing machine {the iron?  Not so much!} this week!

I have a few different orders to work on right now, and each is a work in progress.  Some adorable dresses, a birthday onesie, super cute ruffly PJ pants - - - lots of fun things coming across my machine!

The last time I shared about Zoe's quilt I was sorting, designing, and stabilizing each piece.  Since then, her mom found a few rogue items that fell out of the bags when she took them to be shipped to me (oh no!!!) - so she sent them my way to be added in {phew, good thing I've been taking my time on this project - a few of them were really sentimental / important items!}.

Once I had sorted all the items by the size of the design, I started ironing on the stabilizer.  Stabilizer is important because onesies, etc. are all different thicknesses and most of them have some stretch to them.  Stabilizing them helps protect the integrity of the quilt (won't stretch out / break down).... but it takes time!  I knew I was going to work with three different block sizes - 6", 4", and 2" (finished square size).  I cut stabilizer a bit bigger than each size and ironed it on.

Then after returning from vacation, I got to cutting out squares!  150 of them to be exact!  {okay... actually a few more than that... it's good to have extras on hand - and they'll find their way into the backing!}

I *may* have had an unfortunate incident with my rotary cutter during this step.  Thank goodness some sort of survival instinct (or???) intervened and kept me from really doing BIG damage.  I still have all my fingers!!!!

Then I got my handy dandy colored pencil sketch of the quilt, and started stacking squares for each row.

I plan on using a "quilt as you go" method - similar to that shared by Maureen Cracknell - for this quilt due to its size (it will be around 50" x 60" when finished!).

A side note: Maureen is amazing.  Not only is her quilting beautiful and inspiring, but yesterday within minutes of commenting on a blog post of hers, and asking a question, she had responded by email!!!  To say I was a bit star-struck would be an understatement.  She answered my question, and truly took the time to respond with more than just a quick "thanks for commenting".  She even included photos to help explain her process!  Wow!!!  We emailed back and forth a couple times, and I was left even more inspired than before.  So a HUGE thank-you to her for taking the time out of her VERY busy day to offer some tips, etc., and truly show she is invested in the sewing community!

Anyway...... back to Zoe's quilt!

I now have all of the rows sewn together, and I have to say I LOVE how it's coming along.  I don't know the story behind all of the outfits, but I know how much they mean to her family, and I am so honored to be working on such a big, important project!

I'll be switching gears and working on clothes for the next few days - - - then will pick back up on this project again soon!!!  {though it's tempting to just keep sewing and get it all put together!!!}

What are you working on?  What inspires you?

I'm feeling refreshed from our vacation - and VERY inspired to create!

Linking up with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced - - I am link #116 - so excited to see what others are working on!

WIP Wednesday

We are on vacation in the greater Salt Lake City area visiting my Hubby's family..... But vacation isn't an excuse not to sew for me! ;-)

This week is another Project Quilting challenge - "across the universe".

I found the fabric.... Drew up the plan... And today I started sewing!

But as you'll see - the method I tried to use for my chevron portion of the quilt did not work out as planned / promised (another post on that in the future!)

So my chevrons morphed into another shape.... And that's okay!

Linking up with WIP Wednesday -  and checking out others' projects!

WIP Wednesday

We are preparing for a 9-day vacation visiting family - - - - but I'm still sneaking in a *little bit* of sewing time.

As of this afternoon I have three BOM / QAL blocks cut.  I'm participating in the Vice Versa BOM with GenX Quilters, Wishes Quiltalong with Fat Quarter Shop, and Aurifil DOM sewalong - - and this month's blocks for all three have LOTS of half-square triangles (HSTs).  So..... I have been cutting lots of squares!

These squares will all become slightly smaller squares made from two fabrics, then arranged to create some fun blocks! :)  My goal is to get these babies sewn up tonight after the kids go to bed - as the pre-vacation laundry is being washed!

Linking up with WIP Wednesday - and hopping over to see what others are working on!