Thursday, February 19, 2009

Out with the Old

I have been busy relisting items in both of my shops and trying to find a home for my lovely ladybug rag quilt.
It has over 300 views but no takers so far, this has got to be one of my favorite items that I have created in a long time. I hope that it can go to a good home soon.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Welcome to My Wednesday - "Quilting in PJ's"

I have decided that a daily post is more in order, especially since I am "Quilting in PJ's" everyday and not just on Wednesdays. I hope to make my weekly post more detailed and include a tutorial or ideas for any readers to comment on and shine the light on other etsy shops and their owners.

Welcome to My Wednesday - Feb. 18, 2009

THE PROJECT OF THE WEEK:

This week I am working on re-purposing an old pair of men's courdory slacks into a tote bag. I am not the best at sketching designs but I know what I want and have a vague idea on how to achieve it. I love designing as I work and tweeking here and there as I have to, so that it all works out in the end. It should be ready to list by the end of the week.

Check out my progress and let me know what you think by adding a comment to my blog.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/quiltingfrenzy/sets/72157614005975571/detail/




I did finish another baby rag quilt yesterday
and it is ready for listing today. A beautiful pink and blue floral print alternated with a pink and white stripe pattern. A great quilt for a baby girl!

Its back to work on that tote bag to get it finished in time to list by this weekend. I have a half dozen pairs of slacks and jeans to work on and get ready for the local craft fair circuit that starts up in a couple of months.
Feel free to leave a comment any time and I will be back tomorrow, "Quilting in PJ's"

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Quilting In PJ's

Welcome to my Wednesday!

I have decided that the early morning quilting I do is probably my best work. There is something about getting into my sewing room at 6:30 in the morning that helps me be more creative, colors look brighter, ideas are fresh and I am looking at everything with a new perspective.

I walk into my sewing room and there is the mandatory clearing off of my ironing board and cutting table, then I log onto my computer, turn the tv on and then switch on the sewing machine. This ritual is how I start my day at work and if done in a different order things just don't seem to feel right.LOL Although it seems that there is a method to the madness, I really struggle keeping the design monkeys in check. I always say, "I have more ideas than I have time" and whenever I look at a new, or old, piece of fabric I have to restrain myself from starting a new project.

This weeks project has been a baby rag quilt for my babybagagge.etsy.com shop.



This type of quilt is a simple design that is made by sewing together two layers of flannel and then clipping seams to create a fringe. The clipping can be exhausting if you don't have a really sharp pair of scissors or special rag quilt scissors.

For a heavier quilt you can sew three layers of flannel as I have done in my ladybug quilt http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19273503



Or you can add a piece of batting between your layers of fabric, as I did in this quilt that I made for my mother-in-law that lives in Indiana .



Well, back to work so that I can finish up my baby quilt and get it listed tonight.

Drop by any time or check back next week and see what is up and what we are "Quilting In PJ's".

Friday, February 6, 2009

Rejected, sort of

I found out today that my quilt design for a magazine is being sent back. I am not sure if you can classify it as a total rejection since the magazine is just getting off the ground and the launch date has been pushed back by 6 months. Reason for return is that my submission is not for the correct season and they want seasonal patterns. Oh, well!

Back to to the drawing board. I plan on finishing up this design and possibly selling it on my etsy shop or selling the pattern and see if anyone is interested in my original designs.

Even though this isn't an outright rejection of my idea it is still disappointing and I am not sure how I feel about submitting it anywhere else or any of my other patterns. Am I ready to be rejected? I don't know how to answer that right now.

If at first you don't succeed, never give up!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Long time no see

It has been over a month since I last posted on this blog and so much has happened that has kept me busy.

I opened up a new shop called Baby Baggage and it will be dedicated to baby quilts, diaper bags, toys, baby hats, booties, etc. This ladybug rag quilt is the first item that was added to that shop at babybaggage.etsy.com and so far has had 250 views.


I did sell one item in my new shop and it just happened to be a ladybug receiving blanket that I really loved.




I finally finished two more items that were listed earlier this week.


I have listed a fabric Easter Basket A Monkey Motif Diaper Bag
I am hoping that these item will bring in some buyers to my new shop.
There are so many great shops on etsy and I have done some buying of my own.

I recently purchased a beautiful set of earrings that arrived today, http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=13511668.

I am now waiting on this lovely little pincushion that I fell in love with http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=13611490