So long, Vera

This past Saturday, the 17th, was the village-wide yard sale in the rural town I live in. I always set up a table since we live on the main street through town. Last year I sold tie dye shirts and made more than $200 in just a few hours. This year I didn't have any tie dye done up or even all that much junk to put out. I actually ended up selling almost all of the Vera Bradley that I've collected since college. I really had quite a bit; wallets, duffle bags, lunch pails...you name it. I haven't bought any Vera in about a year because I've gotten more and more interested in making my own stuff. I ended up selling everything I put out on Saturday! To celebrate I made myself a few things (it was nice to sew for myself for a change!), so I'm saying "so long, Vera...hello, Francesca!"

I used a couple 1/2 yard cuts that I have had lying around forever! I know I've had the bottom print at least 2 years. I also broke into some very pretty hot pink aurifil (:

I made myself this roll up case for cosmetic brushes first. I made up the pattern myself (woot!) and actually had the foresight to put some fusible fleece in it to give it some nice structure. It fits all 4 brushes that I use, my mascara, eyeliner and tweezers! It has a sweet pink ribbon to secure it closed.

Then I made this over-sized, quilted zipper bag to hold the brush roll up and all my cosmetics including my giant (6"x7") mary kay compact that contains 20 shades of eyeshadow, 2 blushes and a bronzer. I can also fit my hairbrush and a bunch of other stuff in here...very spacious!

Again, no pattern...and I'm really pleased with the finished product. I love the saturated colors and the customization! 

Francesca

WIPW 8/20/2014

WHOA...summer is flying by! I can't believe it's been almost a month since we've posted...sorry! I honestly don't have much to show for WIPW but I'll share a few fun bee blocks and a pillow I whipped up for Shain's birthday with some really fun fabric. Other than that, I've been outside enjoying the fine weather, doing some gardening, walking the doggies, the usual (:

SMQ Bee Blocks for Joy, "Candy Coated":

SMQ Bee Blocks for Charlotte, "x and +":

Bee Blocks for Ann, "Night and Noon":

Shain's birthday pillow:

CMM August Blocks, Churn Dash:

And some pics of the gardens just for fun:

Oh, I almost forgot...I have actually started my first Christmas present! It's a pointsettia based on jaybird quilts' "Rock Candy" pattern, although I don't actually have the pattern or the side kick ruler...it's coming out well and I'm trying to figure out how to quilt it now.

Hope you are enjoying your summer!

Francesca

Tie Dye Pillow

I'm excited to announce I finished my first of four Q3 projects: my tie dye pillow! I used my last fat quarter of hand dyed fabric that I dyed up a few months ago; time to do some more! I'm really pleased with how this pillow turned out and with the fact that it's done and I can start using it! (Sorry in advance for the low quality pictures - took them at night w/ flash).

Original FQ 

Piecing

Piecing

Pre-quilting. I'm told this pattern is reminiscent of Ricki Timms' Convergence but I honestly just kind of made it up out of my head.

All quilted and bound - I used a really pretty purple aurifil thread

The back - featuring covered zipper - tutorial here

Stuffed. The pillowcase is about 23" square and shown on a 24" pillow form. I prefer them to fit snugly as the pillows tend to deflate a little with use.

I leave you with one last picture to make you smile: my puppy giving me snuggles while I was hand sewing the binding down

<3

Francesca

Linked with all the Friday Finish ladies 7/25/14

For Pink's Sake - sewing for a cause

Just taking a minute to share some pink blocks I made for Anna at life sew crafty. She is making a quilt to donate on behalf of her mother-in-law who recently beat breast cancer! Go, Tina! Anna has also organized a blog hop and a place to donate to raise money to help offset Tina's medical expenses. Head over to Anna's blog for more info and to participate!

I just popped these blocks in the mail along with a handful of pink charm squares.

Francesca

Gifties: Friday Finish Edition

It's all about the gifties here lately! I won't complain though, I love to make 'em and I love to give 'em away!

First up is a cute patchwork iPad sleeve for my friend, Rachel. Rachel's gramma recently passed away unexpectedly and I wanted to do something to give Rachel a little something to smile about. She told me she likes green, blue and purple and a few hours later I had the finished product. I used Kristin Link's tutorial (from Craftsy) with her alternate measurements for the iPad size (from Sew, Mama, Sew website).

My patchwork draft

Pieced heart

Finished sleeve...forgot the label of course

Pretty grey solid lining.

I also whipped up yet another bunting banner. I can't believe how popular these things are becoming in my family. And they go together SO quickly! This one is for my dad. He has a small hobby farm that he calls "Tin Top Farm" because of the steel roofs on the buildings. He requested bunting when he saw the one I made for my nephew Riley. 

Ingredients

Layout

The iron-on letters make this project a breeze

Close up of letters and (wonky) top stitching

Finished banner!

Linking up with the Friday gals - see the buttons on the side bar. Happy Friday!

Francesca

Studio Tour

It has been a while since I have posted any pics of the studio.  Construction has been substantially complete since early last fall with the exception of finishing off the drywall etc on the interior west wall.   I am completely settled in now and I have to say that the studio is definitely my 'happy place.'

Of course it could always be bigger but the truth is I have room for everything as long as I keep organized.  The studio is all cleaned up now in anticipation of some company coming this next weekend so it was a great time to take some photos to share.

My husband gets all the credit!  The studio is a converted porch on our new barn.  The space is approximately 10' x 40'.  Hubs did all the construction work including installing my gorgeous white oak and cherry floor.  Of course he had a great helper (me)!  The energy efficient windows let in a huge amount of light.  The ceiling fans and overhead lighting are also perfect.    The studio is heated with a pellet stove and having lived through one winter already, I can say honestly I was never cold.

Hubs also built me a custom table with a slot for my Bernina PE350.  The top is made from ambrosia maple to which he applied a red dye.  It is really stunning in person!  He aslo made a custom cabinet for my long arm thread which is so convenient.  The shelves along the south wall  under the windows house my fabric stash.  I love having everything where I can see it.

The studio also features a very large design space on the north wall.  I  have some completed quilts displayed there now and can easily fit several large projects.  I have to use a step ladder to reach the top!

The chalk board signs are a reclaimed bed frame that I bought at an antique store.  I think they add just the right touch!

Enjoy the pics!

Volunteering

After getting caught up on some deadline projects I am finally making some time to work on the American Hero Quilts that I volunteered to quilt.  I am almost finished with the first of two. 

It was requested that the quilting not be a large  meander and other than that no instructions.  The panel style quilt top really lent itself to some light custom work so that's what I did.  Each border has its own design.  I did some outlining of the central eagle and faux patchwork stars, along with a bit of cross hatching.