On to the next thing

The next thing is this: a quilt top for a new baby. One of our graduate students had a baby girl recently. The student was supposed to be a guest lecturer in my class two weeks before she was due, and - cue Murphy's Law - she came early. Anyway, my doc student and I thought it would be a nice thing to make a quilt for the new baby.

We used the Big Shot Pro, a 3 1/2" HST die, and a bunch of fat quarters to make this sweet little quilt top. It's based on the Miss Rosie quilt pattern Chip, but we made our blocks a larger size and we didn't use a border. It's 48" square. In this photo, the greys look a bit brown, but they are really grey. I'm thinking some pink minky on the back.

Also, I was fairly restrained on the fabric front during the Thanksgiving commercial frenzy, but I did indulge in some heavy lifting on the Sizzix front. Joann's was having a 50% off sale on Sizzix products. They were mostly dies for paper crafting, but I did get some flower dies and cutting pads. Then the Canadian retailer Stitch in the Ditch had a massive clearout of Sizzix dies for 35% off, including some of the strip dies, HST dies, etc. I bought a LOT of dies. And although it was not on sale, I bought this Rose Dream die, as well. Can't wait to try this beauty out! I'll take pictures!

Zip It!

I couldn't touch my sewing machine during September and the first half of October since I was writing a grant proposal. But as soon as I was finished I had the urge to sit down and make some quick finishes. I made four cute zippy pouches - different from the ones I have done before.  This one is my favourite - I love this Martha Negley feather print. It is a perfect size for storing my EPP pieces.

I didn't use a pattern for these, but I was inspired by something I saw on the internet ages ago that stuck in my head. Alas, I don't remember where I first saw the inspiration, so if it rings a bell for anyone, let me know and I'll put up a link.

I gave this last one to my daughter - I took a quickie photo with my watch in to show her the clear front, but the watch stayed on my arm.

These are lined with batting, which I attached with spray baste. I used a 6- or 10-gauge plastic vinyl that I bought at the local chain fabric store. The backs don't show in these photos, but they are the same print that you see through the front. Super easy, super fast.


P.S. It's election day today and I would appreciate your vote! I was nominated in the best quilt photography section of the Bloggers' Quilt Festival. Go here, and scroll down to the Quilt Photography section; vote for Stitchliterate - if you click on the thumbnail you can see the original post and more photos of the quilt. Thanks to all who nominated me!

Everybody's Doing It!

Voting, that is!  Tomorrow is Election Day in the US, and won't we all be glad when that is over! Even the Canadian news is awash with polls and pundits weighing in on the presidential election.   Well, here's another election you can vote in, and this one is for everyone around the world!

My quilt, Summer Wedding, was nominated for best quilt photography in the recent Bloggers' Quilt Festival.  My BQF post where the quilt is featured in full can be found here. I am tickled pink! So if you care to vote for it, please go to this link and scroll down to the section dedicated to quilt photography; you'll see this photo above my blog name, Stitchliterate. Give us some clicky love! I would be grateful for your vote!