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! :)

Sew-a-Bration of Womanhood - a top (and scarf) for ME!

It was with excitement (and a little bit of trepidation) that I recently responded to a call for bloggers to participate in the Sew-A-Bration of Womanhood hosted by two fabulous blogs: the Shaffer Sisters and Call Ajare.  

My body has changed a BUNCH over the years - getting married, having two kiddos, moving our family a few times.... I am no longer the woman I was in college or high school - and my body is no longer the same.  But that is NOT a bad thing - I have to remind myself of this on a regular basis.

Truly embracing our imperfections - in our work, our life, ourselves - is something that I think most women find to be challenging.  But when we do?  The power of that acceptance and the confidence it brings can and will create change!

Recently I challenged myself to make some changes - changes I'm very proud of that are helping to make my outward image reflect what's inside.

So this blog series - centered around celebrating womanhood and bodies of all shapes and sizes - could not have come at a better time.

Inspired by a few friends who do a GREAT job sewing clothes for themselves I decided this was the perfect opportunity to give it a go!

I picked out the Greenstyle Lacy Slope Tank because I loved the versions I saw during their recent blog hop and thought it looked like something that was a) simple enough for me to wear everyday b) simple enough for me to attempt as my first adult clothing item c) had enough style and shape that it would look professional

Here's a bit of honesty:  My body shape..... I'd say it's a "round hourglass" (is that even a shape?  did I just make that up?) - My "girls".... they're big.  Two pregnancies have created some nice curvy hips..... and my belly is my "problem" area - always fluffier than I'd like.

So when I picked my size, I followed the largest measurement - my chest.  After three different shirts... and many photos.... I realized this created a top that was far too big for me.  I ended up taking at least 1" off of each side seam - probably more.  I just kept checking fit and adjusting!  I also decided I wasn't loving the hi-lo look for me (love it on others, though!) - so I got creative and added an accent band to the base of the shirt after cutting it at the highest point (in the front).

The coordinating infinity scarf was a must because I love them and because we live in Washington and still only see the sun every once in a while!  {these photos were snapped quickly between a few BIG rain storms!}

I made it by cutting a piece of knit 8" x WOF.  Then I just used a french seam for the short ends - and wa-lah - cute, lightweight infinity scarf!

All in all - I'm excited to have sewn something for ME - and really do see myself wearing this top on a regular basis.  It's comfy, it's cute, and it IS pretty cool to know that I made it.  BUT..... I have a feeling it will be a while until I attempt more adult clothes sewing!  I'll stick to fun bags / kitchen towels / aprons / quilts for me!

Fabric info: All fabrics purchased at Joann Fabrics - pinky red stripe is from their Doodles line - the other two were from the knit basics / red tag clearance section.

Here's a peek at the "real" me - or the me who is so DONE taking pictures and appreciative of a hilarious husband who is telling me to "work it!"

A big thank you to Shaffer Sisters and Call Ajare for getting me to step outside my comfort zone - and in front of the camera - for this empowering blog series!

Want to see more?  Here are the blogs that will be participating in this sew-a-bration!

The Life Of A Compulsive Crafter | Serger Pepper | House of Estrela | sewVery | Our Busy Little Bunch

Modern Handmade | Golden Rippy | Sew & Tell with Mama Eggo | Shawnta Sews | Fishsticks Designs 
Ali Cat & Co | Paisley Roots | Like a mother | Giggles & Beans | Call Ajaire
Shaffer Sisters | I Married Superman | A Jennuine Life | If Only They Would Nap | Once Upon a Sewing Machine

Naptime Creations | Pattern Revolution | Two Many | Rebel & Malice | Simple Simon and Company

SewingSober | Handmade Dress Haven | Daisy Chain Creations | Swoodson Says | I'm Feelin' Crafty So Cal Sewing Mom | Keep Calm and Carrion | DandelionDrift | The Crazy Tailor | Max California 

Falafel and the Bee | Lexi Made | Winter Wonderings | Kid Approved | Scientific Seamstress
Becca DuVal | Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop | The Berry Bunch | Little Kids Grow | leighlee
Feathers Flights | That's-Sew-Kari

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!

half square TRIANGLES

For this final week / challenge of Project Quilting we are to be inspired by triangles.

Pretty quickly I decided to use a few charm packs I have had sitting on a shelf for nearly a year, mixed with a bunch of white-on-white fabrics.  Then I browsed Pinterest, blogs I follow, and a few books I have on hand for some half square triangle inspiration.

The way I'm going about this challenge / quilt is a bit different than my usual.  Most of the time, I go in with a plan.  A solid plan.  One drawn out in colored pencils on graph paper.

This quilt.... the plans were:
a) use half-square triangles
b) use the selected fabrics
c) have a scrappy feel (don't necessarily sort by color family, etc.)
d) make a "throw-sized" quilt

I had no set design in mind.  Not much of a plan (relative to usual).  It made me a little uncomfortable!

So last night I sewed up 130 HSTs - pairing one printed charm square with a white-on-white.  There was no rhyme or reason to how I was sewing them (I have 5 or 6 different white-on-whites that I'm using).

I cut them apart.  I ironed them.  And then I went to bed {it was nearly 11pm at this point and I knew if I didn't go to bed, I would end up staying up WAY too late!}

This morning, I started playing with the HSTs.  Using a few of the photos I had for inspiration, I re-created quilts / designs I loved.  And I flipped a few squares and watched as the design changed.  Over and over.

These photos are from my phone - just snapped quickly so I could get a feel for what the various designs looked like.

I have to say - taking the photos made a HUGE difference.  I'm still deciding what design to go with (one of these..... or maybe something else?) - but this has been such a fun process - SO cool how many different things can be done with these blocks - and this is a VERY small sampling / example!

I'm not sure if I'll get a big ol' throw quilt done.... or if I'll need to scale down and complete a quilted throw pillow cover for the challenge and then get the quilt done very soon.... we'll see what kind of sewing time I can "steal" between now and Sunday morning!

....THIS is just one of the many reasons I LOVE Project Quilting!

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

Which is YOUR favorite?!

Triangles!

I am so sad that this week marks the last regular season Project Quilting challenge for Season 5 - - - I have had SO much fun creating, learning, and being inspired by the challenges, the quilters participating, the Facebook group, and personal challenges I have made for myself.

BUT....

I'm loving the last challenge / inspiration!  Triangles!  Read more about the challenge HERE - over at Persimon Dreams.

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

Since I had a few charm packs sitting on my shelf (for over a year?!) - one of which I won during last season of Project Quilting - and more pre-cuts on their way to me {thanks to reaching my 100 item goal and getting to do a "little bit" of fabric shopping!} - I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to sew with them!  I'll combine them with some white-on-whites, and add in fabric from my stash if need be!

Boho by Urban Chiks for Moda // Juggling Summer by Zen Chic for Moda

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

Of course, as soon as the challenge posted, I ran over to Pinterest and started looking for inspiration, designs, color schemes, etc.

Here are a few faves I found:



"Lava Meets Sea" - using HSTs - by Coopcrafts



Bliss Quilt - Michelle @ I Like Orange - more HST's with strings
(I have seen this design, or similar, done with LOTS of variations - and with the design offset on all the sides, or centered, etc. - love it each and every time I see it..... so even if I don't do this one this week, it WILL be sewn at some point!)

One of many HST layouts over at Making More With Less

Bev's 60 degree triangle quilt - more strings!

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

So many triangles.... so many ideas!

I think I will be working with half square triangles... and the plan is just to start making some HSTs and see where the fabrics take me as far as design!

..... But I have some work sewing that must happen before I do more work on this one (though I do have the 5" white-on-white squares cut!

I'd love to get a pretty good sized throw quilt made..... but if all else fails, I'll scale things back and do a quilted pillow cover! :)

My challenge to you - PARTICIPATE in this week's Project Quilting challenge.  You don't have to be a master quilter (I am FAR from that!).  You don't even have to make a traditional quilt!  You just have to be inspired {and yes, follow the couple rules set out in the challenge post!}

A few fun & quick items you could sew up that would qualify (as long as you did a little bit of patchwork, or used 3 layers, or applique!):
- coffee sleeve
- mug rug
- trivet / hot pad
- wall hanging
- tote bag / purse
- table runner
- table topper
- doll quilt
- "security" sized blanket
- pillow / pillow cover
- headband

Happy Sewing!

March Goals!

Why hello, March!  Funny how you snuck up on me!

I guess it's time to set some new goals - - - I'll check in on last month's goals soon!

Year-long goal: Do more sewing that is NOT paid orders:
I have decided on a "space" theme for little man #2's room / bedding - thanks to his love of my "Across the Universe" Project Quilting piece.  So I'm hoping to make a few things to go along with that - but that involves buying some fabric.... so I'll have to get through my 100 items first! (though the hubby says this one counts as a "custom order").

I also did my first foundation paper piecing today - thanks to some wonderful in-person, hands-on teaching from a friend's mom.  We did a small construction cone filler block.  She gave me patterns for LOTS of construction vehicles - - - so I hope to work on more blocks here and there to eventually put together a quilt, or wall hanging.... or????  For little man #1's room!

A Lovely Year of Finishes (ALYOF) March
Goal is to finish up Zoe's memory quilt!  Right now it is almost fully pieced - I plan on using a Quilt As You Go method - so I need to quilt the rows, then piece them together, choose (and piece together) backing, and bind!  Phew!  It's a nice big project - and I can't wait to get it finished up!

Project Quilting 
Challenge #5 - inspired by a trip to the grocery store - was posted yesterday (3/2)!  I've been mulling it over, and flopped between a few different pieces of inspiration - but I WILL be participating!  The last challenge will be posted on 3/16 - can't wait to hear what else we will be inspired by - and see everyone's completed projects!

100 item challenge
I made 54 of the 100 items during the month of January.  My goal for February was to get to 80.... I made it to 77!  But this weekend (the first weekend of March) - I made my way to 86!  Getting close!  I'm actually enjoying sewing through what I have and NOT spending as much time (and money) buying fabric.  The friend who roped me into this challenge (Alyssa from Keep Calm and Carrion) and I are considering allowing ourselves a little window to buy when we get to 100 items..... and then starting the challenge again! (are we crazy?!)

Vice Versa BOM
Can't wait to see what block we are working on this month!  Pattern / instructions will be emailed this Friday 3/7.

Wishes Quiltalong
This one posted early - and I've got it printed out!  Loving how the orange & black blocks are looking together so far!

Aurifil DOM sewalong
Another block, this time from Emily Herrick - looking forward to reading about her, drooling (I'm sure) over her quilts, and working on the block she has shared!

Blog Goals
I still have a few tutorials to share - and I need to fit in some time to share some of the sewing I do that ISN'T quilting!  Funny to me - I keep sharing all these quilting projects..... but I spend a good majority of my time sewing clothes! :)

Other Goals
Finish up my pattern organization (was a goal from February.... I got over halfway done with the patterns I already had printed.... but still want to print out more, and need to get tabs on pages, etc.) - I'm looking forward to this one as I KNOW there are sewing patterns (for clothes.... well, quilts too!) that I own and haven't sewn.... LOTS of them.  Time to dust them off!

Linking up with A Lovely Year of Finishes - March Goal Setting!  I'm link #91

January Goals Recap!

Hmmm... over a week into the month and I'm finally getting a chance to check-in on how I did with my January goals.... and I promise I have my February goals written up - will post those soon, too!

Main Goal: Do more sewing that is NOT paid orders
I think I did pretty great on this one!  During the month of January I sewed 57 items - and 9 of those items were "just because" / not for paid orders.  Yes, I realize that's only 15.8% - but that is a MUCH higher percentage than I have had in the past.  Included in those 9 items were BOM quilt blocks, some fun "add-ons" to paid orders that were gifts for a friend, and Project Quilting sewing!

A Lovely Year of Finishes (ALYOF) January
Goal was to make a stop sign pillow - and I completed the stop sign pillow on January 13th.  Colby has slept with his head on that pillow every.single.day since! :)

Project Quilting 
I completed challenges 1 and 2 during January - my "Bath Time" wall hanging and a fun construction wall hanging for Colby's room.  A fun bonus: I have won prizes both weeks so far - as one of the random winners!  Score!  Week 1 I won a sewing pattern, and week 2 I won a quilt pattern book.

100 item challenge
Oh gosh - this has been a "fun" one!  Actually - it's been great!  As of January 31 I had made 57 items - not bad for 29 days with a few days completely void of sewing!  As of this post, I have sewn 7 more items, bringing my total to 64.  Oh.... and have I bought fabric?!  NOPE!  I placed ONE order for two half-yards of fabric needed for a custom order - but I found a seller on etsy to buy from - not my usual "big box" online seller that offers free shipping after a certain amount spent (which would have made it REALLY easy to add to my order).  I bought the two fabrics, and that is ALL!  This has been a great challenge for me.  Since I am unable to buy fabric, I have to look at / use the fabric I have on hand.  It's interesting that there are fabrics I still don't tend to work with even when I can't buy a better replacement - - - guess I'll have some fabric to sell soon! :)

Vice Versa BOM
I recruited my mom to do this BOM with me!  I got my blocks sewn up on 1/7 - can you tell I was excited?!  It took me forEVER to decide on the fabrics.... but I'm happy with what I picked!

Wishes Quiltalong
This one was a "maybe" on the list - and I joined in!  I found a FUN quilt pattern that has football blocks - and after I saw that, I thought it would be fun to make a quilt using some of the football blocks as well as all sorts of black / orange / grey / white blocks from a few QALs / BOMs - the hubby and I are Oregon State University alumni and LOVE football - and the team colors are orange & black.  Should be fun and scrappy - and I'll be able to work on it throughout the year and finish it up during football season!

My January block!  These are big blocks - - - 14" plus seam allowance!

Mystery BOM
I decided not to join in on this one.  Didn't feel like my style and I had LOTS of other fun things I was excited about!

Additions
I added one more QAL / BOM - the Aurifil Designer of the Month sewalong.  Each month they're featuring a different designer, who will share a block of their choosing and we'll sew along with them.  January's block was "spools" - so I thought I'd make a block I could eventually make into a wall hanging for my sewing studio. {the fabrics coordinate well with my adorable ironing board cover, and the red face on my beautiful sewing machine.... and all the pink gear I have from my Susan G. Komen 3-day walks!}

For future months, I plan on using fabrics that will create blocks for the black / orange / grey / white / footballs quilt, too.  Oh.... and each month you complete the block you are entered to win a box of Aurifil thread (which I've heard is wonderful.... though I have yet to experience it!)

Phew!  Lots of sewing for January - - - feels good to have gotten so much done (including a bunch of custom orders for my shop, items to stock my Etsy shop (that sold out VERY quickly), and starting on a BIG upcoming project - Zoe's quilt!)

Oh - and one of my non-sewing goals is to find / make more "me" time and.... of course.... eat healthier / exercise more.  A friend of mine started the Bikini Body Mommy 90 day challenge and I saw it as an opportunity to have some measurable, attainable goals - - - Today is day 23 and I have only "missed" one day (and I doubled up my workout the next day to catch back up!) - Wahoo!!!!

I'll get a post written up about February's goals ASAP..... because there are only 20 days left in the month and 9 of those days we're on vacation!  Hahahaha.

Project Quilting Challenge 3 - Sweet Treats - brainstorming!

The third challenge for Project Quilting, Season 5 was posted on Sunday at noon CST.  We were busy prepping for superbowl festivities - but I read through the challenge quickly so that I could be brainstorming while chopping veggies, making salsa & guac, and maybe a little bit during the game.  {though most of the game was spent cheering on our awesome Seahawks to their superbowl victory!}

This week's challenge is "Sweet Treats" - read more about it here

While I really enjoy chocolate.... if you give me a choice between chocolate and fruity / sour / gummy candy - I will pick the fruity / sour / gummy candy 9 times out of 10.  Skittles are a fave for sure - also on the list?  Hot Tamales, Gummy Bears, and Rips.

Photo from bubblews.com

The timing of this challenge couldn't be more perfect!
a) thanks to the Seahawks star running back, Marshawn Lynch (aka Beast MODE) - and his love for Skittles - my 3-year-old has been running around the house for weeks now hollering "Beast Mooooooooode!" and "Skittles - - - Taste the rainbow!!!"

Photo from www.Seahawks.com

b) I have really wanted to make a rainbow quilt - but haven't had a reason to sew one.
c) My goal to challenge myself even more than each PQ challenge requires us to will fit perfectly this week!  Last week, my creation was far from my comfort zone - a funky, abstract creation.  This week...... rather than putting together a rainbow quilt using squares - or even half-square triangles (HSTs) into a chevron (which was my original plan for the rainbow quilt - prior to reading this week's challenge post) - I *plan* on working with CIRCLES!

I posted this photo {it's a cell phone pic!} to the "Challenge Quilts" facebook group - at this point I was about halfway through cutting out all the 8" diameter circles (not all pictured here).  A friend of mine sent me a text not long after - "What are you doing with those circles?  How do they connect?"  Yep.... my brain is not the only one that has to stretch when thinking outside the square!

By this point, my hand was RAW from cutting out circles {I have a circle cutter.... but the repetitive nature and the fact I think my blade is a *bit* dull were definitely working against me!}.  And both of my boys refused to take naps in the afternoon.  So I headed upstairs to try and do the dinner / play / bedtime routine..... which took for.ev.er. last night!  After the usual books / songs routine with Little Man #1 and a handful of trips back into Little Man #2's room (for more songs, or snuggles, or a little more milk, or....?!?!?!) - I headed back downstairs to cut the rest of the circles, iron them all again, and get to work.

Last night I sewed two "rows" of my quilt.  They are test rows - I need to see if the concept I'm considering is really going to work.....

*Fingers crossed* for better sleepers today / tonight so I can really give this idea a try and get some work under my belt!  Don't worry - I'll take lots of pictures along the way just in case this concept works! :)

Want to join in on the fun?  Check out Project Quilting and challenge yourself, too!!!

Upcycled - Project Quilting Season 5, Challenge 2 - finished!

I took the opportunity this week to not only be challenged by the actual "rules" / specifications set out for the Upcycled Challenge (read them here) - but I set a personal challenge / goal - to create something FAR outside my "usual" / comfort zone.

My brain is very mathematical.  I have always loved math and science.... I started college studying engineering and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology, with minors in mathematics and business.  So.... it makes me giggle sometimes all the time that I spend much of my days creating / sewing / being "artsy".

My quilting is most often very geometric and.... rigid.  I love to experiment with color, but being truly free-form and artistic with my quilting is NOT my strong suit.

So.... this week.... I tried something different.

Not only does my "quilt" meet the various specifications given by the official challenge.... but it is also VERY abstract / free-form / "unfinished" even though it's definitely finished.

I've decided it will be called "Workin'" - because that's what my 3 year old said when he first saw it ("Mommy.... that excavator and dump truck are workin' hard!"

To make the top, I cut up various onesies / sleepers that the kiddos wore as babies.  I also cut up a paper bag and pages of a kids' book {I had to include at least two items that were NOT originally intended for clothing or quilts}.  Oh... and those excavator tracks?  They are cut from a rubber excavator track for a toy (no clue where the other one is.... or the naked excavator.... such is life with two boys!)

I stitched each piece on, and left the bits of string / tails / etc.  I wanted it to feel / look really scrappy and "raw".  Then I added the dump truck and excavator appliques - by spray basting and then stitching them on.  A little while back a friend of mine gave me a bag of fabric she had on hand and didn't have plans for.  The backing is from that bag - and it looks like it was a table runner at some point.  It is just a solid green (It's a wall hanging, so it won't be seen!).

I couldn't decide if I wanted to "finish" it - but after letting it sit for over 24 hours, I just trimmed it up (again, very free-form, not a set shape / size) and then stitched 3/8" from the outside edge to tack everything down that may have been cut in the process.  There is a low loft poly batting between the top and the backing.

Here are a few close-ups of the funky things included in the quilt

Rubber excavator tracks (was SO excited that my sewing machine went through these as if they were plain ol' cotton) - clothes - book pages - paper bag pieces

See the words from the book pages?  Paper bags, lots of loose threads, that darker blue is a cute "polo shirt" onesie.  The camo fabric is from a cute outfit I bought for Colby when we visited a very special little girl for her first birthday in West Virginia!

The orange / blue stripe is from an adorable striped raglan-style onesie the boys wore.  I love that you can see the "carters" info that is printed on the inside of onesies on that dark brown piece off to the right.

It took a LOT of work to get my brain to think this way..... and it's still tough to look at it and LOVE it.... but it is DEFINITELY growing on me.  It's fun, too, to see the little chunks of each outfit / book page I used.... they spark wonderful memories.

This is now pinned up on the wall in Colby's bedroom - he is SO into construction / trucks.... and it goes great with his new big boy bed, etc.

For more posts about this project, click on the topics below:
Brainstorming
Beginning Stages

PQ Challenge 2 - the beginning stages

This week's "upcycled" challenge has my creative wheels spinning!

Immediately I knew I wanted to use onesies / clothes / blankets / etc. from when my kiddos were young..... but I had to shift my thinking a bit to fit within the challenge specifications.

I had a few custom orders that needed to be shipped ASAP so that they could get to the customers by the end of the month.... so those came first.  And my mind kept thinking about this challenge.

Last night, at 11:30pm, I finished up the last stitch on my final outstanding paid order.  While I have a few to invoice, and details to figure out on a few more, this gives me at least a few days of a "break" to work on Project Quilting {oh... and taxes.... pesky taxes that need to be finished by the end of the month!  Ahhhh!}

This is about as far as I got yesterday...

Yep.... those are boxes and crates and a few more boxes of the kiddos' baby clothes.  My project this week will not be a traditional onesie / t-shirt memory quilt {though I hope to make one of those some day... and have a customer order for one coming up - yay!} - but since everything used needs to have a previous life.... and obviously I have *just a bit* to work with in all these boxes, I figured it was a great source for the main materials to make my item.

Next up... I need to sort through all these clothes and pull blues, browns / tans, yellows, oranges, some black..... and sort them by size so they can be MUCH more organized than they are right now (yep, using this challenge as an opportunity to check THAT off the to-do list, too!)

Interested in joining in on the Project Quilting fun?  Get more information here:

A look back... PQ season 4 finishes

Because
a) I'm super excited that Project Quilting, Season 5 starts tomorrow {at Noon CST}
b) I'm procrastinating and finding every possible thing to do other than the sewing work I should be doing
c) I've recently been reminded of how much I LOVE quilting {but am such a novice and have TONS of room for growth!} - maybe it's the math nerd in me???

Anyway.....

Here's a look back at my finishes for 2013's Project Quilting, Season 4.

Challenge 1 - Square in a Square
My creation: "Squares the Beach?" - a quilt given as a baby shower gift to a friend



Challenge 2 - My favorite color
My creation: "Going Pink" - a quilted bib - in pink because I was training to walk the Susan G. Komen 3-day (60 miles)



{I missed Challenge 3 because we moved....}

Challenge 4 - Wish Upon a Star
My creation: "A wish come true" - a quilted wall hanging given to my sister & brother-in-law for their baby's nursery



Challenge 5 - Page 28
My creation: "Indoor Greens" - a valance to hang in our kitchen {it's still up!} - inspired by page 28 of Sunset Magazine's "Easy Edible Garden"


Challenge 6 - Hooray for Spring!
My creation: "Blossoms and Blue Sky" - a patchwork quilted tote - this was my very first attempt at free motion quilting!

Yep.... I'm stoked about this season!  I'm hoping I'll be able to participate in all 6 challenges - - - and I'm going to try to learn / work on new techniques as much as possible!!!

Okay, okay.... now to do the REAL work.... :)