When Sewing Takes Over

I have been busy making things like there is no tomorrow! I just realized I haven't posted anything in over a week, so today, here is a crafty, sewing showcase.

Let's start with the baby quilt that is a companion to the "Amelia" quilt I made. 

Just like the other one, but different colors.

I also decided to try working on my own fabric by putting my drawings on mug rugs and I started with one of the Jelly Friends, Tamber Melon and my resident Meowfox Mr. Snugglekins.

Hi guys! 

Then I coordinated background fabric and attached them to the centers. 

Finally I applied backing and binding. 

All done!  

Posing as a mini rug! 

I cannot stress enough how happy it makes me to create things and I am so happy to have a new way to create by being able sew things and quilt.  I wish I'd been doing it forever, but I'm happy I started at all. I encourage you to start doing whatever it is you would like to do, today!!! I have learned to knit, crochet, paper craft, and sew...in the last 5 years! I keep telling anyone who will listen that I am so happy I started seeing because there's this whole world of fabric and patterns that I have access to now! I am really enjoying sewing and I look forward to improving as I keep working! Tomorrow I will be posting a video about making inked backgrounds for your layouts, happy crafting!

Quilt Fabric Storage Idea with the Big Shot

Hi everyone! I just started using my Sizzix Big Shot to cut fabric and I had an epiphany. I'm a modern quilter and I love jelly roll quilts. I was cutting some fabric last night and decided to "kit" my jelly rolls. 

Cutting 2.5" strips

Strips galore! 

Then I put them into groups I would probably use together. 

I tied the rolls with scrap strips from cutting.

Then I can just stack them up and save space! This would make an awesome gift for a fellow quilter as well. Hope this helps organize your stash, happy crafting!

Easy Baby Quilt With Appliqué

Hey there! Gabriela here with another quilt project. This time I decided to do a modern quilt with a little appliqué. I am making two of these quilts so I cut all of my fabric at once. 

The white is my background and the fairies will be my center. 

Next I laid out my blocks to get a feel for how much space I would have for the appliqué.  

A little rough. 

Then I pressed and sewed the blocks together. 

All squared up!  36" x 36"

I did the appliqué by drawing my letters on my Cricut Explore.

I did this in Design Space. 

Then I fussy cut the letters and heart. 

A little curled up. 

I applied Heat n' Bond to the backs and pressed them. 

Crispy and fresh! 

Next I fused them to the quilt top and stitched around the edges. 

Then I attached the back and the batting!

Now the quilting! 

Trying out free motion. 

Then the binding and it's done. 

I'll be making another quilt like this and then making a Queen size quilt after that. I hope the directions were clear, happy crafting! 

Quilting with Beyoncé

So I have known for a while I am not your average knitter, scrapbooker, or quilter.  Whenever I go to any local gatherings like this I am usually one of the youngest. This doesn't make me feel out of place, but it does make for interesting conversations.  I was making a few things recently (while listening to Beyoncé and then Rihanna) and I thought, does the typical quilter/knitter/scrapper know all the words to XO and Work? I find it hilarious because you can never judge a book by its cover. I remember one time about 2.5 years ago, I was looking at thread in a big box store and I was just checking all of the thread to see what was available. A lady came up to me (a customer, not an employee) and said "Oh, that's quilting thread, is that what you're looking for?" I slowly turned to her (because I had to be sure this was really happening) and said "I'm just looking, I'm getting new thread." She pressed on with "Well, that's for quilting, I mean you're not quilting are you?" This last part was delivered with a mix of derision and panic. I responded "No, I just wanted new thread...do you work here?" Realizing her error, she fumbled a little and said "Well the machine thread is over there...this is quilting thread..." and proceeded to roll her cart away. I laughed because a.) I could not believe you tried to deny me this thread, b.) You don't know me so you have no idea what I'm looking for, and c.) Why would it be so shocking that I might be quilting? It's not like if I buy this thread I'll use up all the quilting space in the world. My quilting doesn't hinder your ability to quilt, but the confusion in her face was so real. I giggle to myself everytime I buy thread now, since I can quilt and I've graduated to embroidery, I'm using all of the good thread. I also think sometimes when I'm knitting, quilting or scrapping that I am not the average crafter, because I do craft to music you might not expect and I may not look like everyone else in the guild, but I'm just as happy as anyone else to show my work! I hope everyone feels that free when you're creating and don't let anyone make you feel nervous about it. Happy crafting (cues Drake-Hotline Bling)!

New fabric and thread stash. 

Flannel Blankets in Record Time

Hi there! I am on a craftastic voyage and I wanted to try making some swaddling blankets and I found this really cool tutorial that walks you through a self binding flannel blanket. I finished this one in a few nights and I took several breaks.

I started with my front and back. 

I spy elephants! 

Next I lined up my layers.

Lining up my layers. 

Then I did my stitching on the wrong side. 

Leave open a 5-6" length. 

Finally ready to turn it inside out. 

Here's the blanket turned right side out. 

Finally, after some top stitching, this flannel blanket is done!

Nothing left but a wash and press. 

Try this out if you need a quick baby shower gift or some more blankets around the house, or to donate. Happy crafting!