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Sunday, March 11, 2018

SSS - Sewing Small Stuff



This is so true,
especially for makers.

I've pretty much only been sewing small
since my adventure with doggie blocks
and my two week visit to North Texas.

Playing.  Puttering. Using up scraps.
Brought home this pattern from a visit to a LQS last weekend,

Anything But Boring

and made Crafty Daughter this cute little snack bag.


It's a really fun pattern, has four sizes,
and is quite simple to put together.
But it took more than two hours!

I made the second size,
and lined it with laminated fabric for moisture resistance.
I'm looking forward to making one of the larger sizes
as soon as I find just the right fabric.

I've always been fascinated with granny squares,
and couldn't resist using up some scraps
to make these.


Unfinished, they measure about 4-3/4".
I have no idea what I'm going to do with them,
but they sew up quickly,
so I'm just going to keep making them
and see where it leads.

the other day
and I couldn't resist! 



I copied her quilting, too!
It was the perfect way to make Crafty Daughter 
some fresh, new pot holders.
When I showed them to her, she said,
"I wondered if I was ever going to get some new ones!"
So, thanks, Amanda Jean!

I really loved making them.
It was difficult not to make more for a quilt,
but I showed restraint.
And it's a good thing I did,
because that same day, CD bought a travel shoulder bag pattern
for me to make her for her annual trip to Washington, DC
with her students.

Sew Much Ado

It will be a challenge.
There are a few things I've never done before.
Just cutting out the pattern and taping it back together
was a monumental task.
I'm excited to start sewing!

I took a page out of Linda/Scrapmaster's book
and made a new pillow from my little bitty triangle scraps.
These were saved from my blog hop quilt with Tilda Fabrics.


I don't know if you can tell from the picture,


but I quilted it with mint green thread.

And last but not least,
I prepared a wall hanging, to gift a very special little girl,



for my hand work during my travel back east for the summer.
Once I embroider the word circle,
I'll applique the dresden plate.
~
Oh, oh, oh,
I almost forgot!
Yesterday, I saw a Great Horned Owl for only the second time ever,
and was able to snap a quick picture of it.


As always, if you click on any of my pictures,
they will become larger.

Thanks for popping in!
Enjoy your week!
~karen


38 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

so glad you got a photo of the owl - I got a photo of one up in Montana once a couple years ago. I love that pillow and the bags - I don't usually make bags but will be trying out a caddy soon to keep my quilting things in when we travel in the camper.

kiwikid said...

You have made so many pretty smaller things..love the pot mits and the snack bag is very cute. The cushion cover has such tiny pieces!! The Granny Squares are beautiful too, again so many tiny pieces!! I would not be able to manage them.

Lesley said...

What gorgeous projects! The bag is so cute and that pillow is stunning! Great idea to use the mint thread.

Binsa said...

Love your projects Karen

Sondra said...

You are so talented and productive! I really adore those granny squares...can't wait to see what they end up becoming. The pot holders will give great protection and are a piece of art too! Goodie goodie on the GH OWL!! He is gorgeous. It's been a long time since I've seen one also.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

You have been busy. Small projects are fun. Don't come home -- we have snow. boo, hoo, hoo

Lin said...

Oh my, lots of lovely things. The Tulip bag looks like a great pattern and how lovely to see that owl. xx

Julie said...

You've been a busy gal even with small projects. Brilliant that you are working on both fun things as well as those out of your Comfort Zone. I see lots of things leaving as gifts, but those Granny Squares should stay with you, IMO. The center of a medallion quilt, perhaps? Even the size of a doll quilt, they would be lovely! Like you, I am thinking smaller as the year progresses. Portable and doable. It's lovely to see all you're doing--including the ^0^0

Karen said...

I can't believe how productive you are - wow!! Love all your projects, especially that tiny Dresden. It looks so perfect. I bet your daughter cherishs all her surprises. :)

FlourishingPalms said...

I too enjoy sewing-up small projects. They're such a nice relief after working "forever" on a quilt. Your potholders are way cute. Did you use thermolam or some similar batting inside, to make them heat resistant? That's why I haven't made potholders yet... I need to get some of that stuff. Also love your pillow! That mint green straight-line quilting is perfect on it. Your Granny Squares are similar to my current leaders and enders. I'll have to send you a picture of what I'm doing, so you can see if your pieces might work in the setting I'm using. Enjoy that bag-making experience! You may find you'll be happy to return to making quilts! :-)

Janice Holton said...

Oh, that horned owl is magnificent! So fun seeing all the variety of things you are making. That tiny little Dresden plate wall hanging is the CUTEST!! I haven't really caught the making-a-bag bug yet. But I enjoy watching what others are doing! Bless you for all the wonderful things you do for others, Karen.

Nann said...

Wow! There's so much to admire in your post today. Small projects are so satisfying. They provide a way to change styles/genres without a huge commitment. And, of course, "finished" is a wonderful declaration....I'm a sucker for purse/tote ideas and will now look up the tulip bag.

Ioleen said...

Great small and fun projects.

Preeti said...

Your itty bitty projects pack a punch. Sure, show me a pillow - so beautiful, so comforting, so inviting on the Monday after Daylight Savings starts. Wish I could take a nap now.

Linda said...

Some amazing SSS going on here! Love all your projects. The bags are so great. Crafty Daughter is mighty lucky to have you, but I know she knows that! Those mini granny squares are too cute! I know you will find the perfect project for them. I am working on some scrappy churn dash too. Love them so much! Love your "Scrapmaster triangle pillow" Great thread choice. looks awesome! I have had a ton of birds in my backyard this winter. I bought a woodpecker feeder and have been getting several downy and hairy ones. It also attracts everything else too but not Great Horned Owls.

Fiona said...

I love all your little things you have made ..... you are always so clever using up smaller pieces - those granny squares make my heart melt!!! haha.... great little bags and big bag coming up....
Hugz

Fiona said...

... and I love your owl... isn't he so well camouflaged - I was impressed you could pick him out for a picture

Hugz

Anonymous said...

What terrific small projects. They all look wonderful, especially the bag - that's fabulous. Those little Granny Squares are adorable. The pillow is attractive, too, and the little churn dashes are so appealing! Love Crazy Mom!

Louise said...

What a fantastic collection of little projects, Karen! I think finishing something is so satisfying, no matter what size it is. In fact, a small finish feels just as good as a big one, so why not have lots of them? :) Your bags are especially impressive to me. 3D projects like that look like magic to me, ha!

Cheryl said...

Great little finishes! I really love the snack bag.

Createology said...

You certainly have been working with Smalls and “Smallers” and every project is Pretty, Practical and Wonderful. Fun Snack Bag. The Owl is Amazing and how kind of him/her to pose for you to take a photo. WOW! Great job on all your finishes. The travel bag looks interesting. Creative Sewing Bliss Dear...<3

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

You certainly have been busy, love those potholders, and bags? I have never made a bag, or a pouch, tell a lie I once made a bag, at least I started one but I decided I didn't like it after it had been a UFO for a year or three, and it ended up in the bin. You were very lucky to spot the owl it was so well camouflaged, well done.

Sandra :) said...

OOoOoooo eye candy post, woooooooooooo! I have that Tulip bag pattern but haven't made it yet - your watermelon tulip is sweet! The granny square blocks are pretty, but my fingers ache just thinking about the tiny pieces in them :D LOL @ CD mentioning that she was wondering when she was getting new pot holders - that's a gift you can be certain is much appreciated :D Have you picked out the fabrics for the Airdrie bag yet, or will you do that together with CD? Adorable Tilda pillow (and kitty) and Dresden wallhanging - I keep telling myself to get a couple of small handwork projects ready for the car but I never actually sit down and do it. We have a couple of small road trips planned for the spring and summer (New York in spring, New York and Pennsylvania in the summer) and I should have some things ready before we leave!

Sandra Walker said...

Wow, so much beautiful hand makes in this post! Can't wait to see the bag you're making for CD for her trip. The snack bag one turned out great. Horned owl - I saw one once, in the middle of the night when its hoo-hoping woke me out of a deep sleep. I'll never forget it; perched atop the power pole outside our bedroom window, its head swivelling what seemed like 360 degrees. btw the potholders turned out fabulous, as did the pillow - maybe I'll make that next (did a mug rug) with all the triangles I continually save.

Judy said...

Wow, what wonderful small projects! I love them and they look like they were really fun to work on. Isn't it rather fun to start making blocks, and then see what you want to do with them? Thanks for the pillow inspiration, I was just thinking that some new pillows for our sofa would be nice.

Ann said...

So many projects. You've been very busy. I like your little scrap triangle pillow and am very impressed with the straightness of your lines. Did you mark them or use a walking foot guide? Congratulations.

Julia D @ Jada's Quilting Adventures said...

Wow! Lots of great projects! I love the pot holders! They are beautiful. Almost too beautiful to use! The picture of the owl is amazing. What a great shot. I can't wait to see the bag project.

JanineMarie said...

Small projects can be so satisfying after working on an extended project. It looks like you’ve been having a great time with them. I’m especially drawn to the granny squares. I’ve always admired the crocheted version (not a crocheter myself), so a quilt version is really intriguing to me.

Sheila said...

So many beautiful projects, you are an inspiration Karen and lucky you seeing the owl!❤

Bernie Kringel said...

what a great assortment of projects - each one is so pretty. They tiny triangle on that pillow, the granny squares - I love them. Granny Squares appeal to me tho I haven't yet made any. I love the patchwork on point look of them.

The horned owl picture is fantastic. Lucky you to get the picture of this guy!

Lynette said...

Oh!!! Look at your owl capture!!! We have a pair that lives in our area, and while I hear them many, many middle-of-the-nights, I've never, ever been able to sight them. How cool for you! I never believe a pattern when it says 1- or 2-hour. Maybe if you already had all the fabric backed with the stuff and pieces cut out, it would be that fast. ;D Cute snack purse, though. LOVE the wallhanging to work on, and the triangle scraps pillow was perfect for those.

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen wow you sure have been busy,love the bag you made ,well done on all your beautiful work my friend xx

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Love all your small things!! I did have to laugh at the two-hour bag pattern. That would take me two weeks minimum working hard.

Angie in SoCal said...

All lovely projects.

Barb said...

What a fun post, a lot of small projects are wonderful, makes you feel accomplished. Loved it all!!

canuckquilter said...

Finally catching up on some blog reading. I love your small projects. So much variety, but all so pretty. When do you head back to Cape Breton?

cocoya said...

Great little finishes! I really love the snack bag.
สล็อต ออนไลน์

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

Lovely bag in the beautiful bright fabric Karen and how clever you are. It is lovely learning new things and the next one you make will be easier and faster too. Have a lovely week with your sister and safe journey back to your island home.