Rabbit Pin Cushion

I finished the rabbit pin cushion.

My goodness! It sure is cute (if I do say so myself and I do)!

A fellow guild member saw this first post I did about this little pin cushion and requested that I make her one. So Vicki, this one is yours!

Guess I'll have to make another one for me.

Think Outside the Kit Quilt

I finished the "think outside the kit" quilt during my parent's visit. Below is a progression of how it went together.

fabrics included in the kit

5" squares

four patches made from above 5" squares

panels cut from large print and playing with four patches

Added thin strip of black between panels and four patches then bordered the whole center with black

Borders attached

It finished at 64" by 79" and I don't think I used half of the fabric from the kit (shown in the first photo). I've got plenty left over to make a backing and do the binding. I'll probably have some left over from that too for scraps!

This was the "Summer" kit. As a reminder, this was the free pattern included with the "Summer" kit.

Mine doesn't look anything like the included pattern

I picked up a "Spring" kit too. Not sure what I'll do with it yet but I'm thrilled with how this one turned out. I may do something similar since it also contains a large print of the same type as the "Summer" kit. Or I may try to do something completely different. Whatever I make, I'll be sure to show it to you when the time comes.

Parental Visit Roundup

We had a great time with my parents, as always!

My dad did quite a few outside jobs for us.

Sprinkler Fixed

Garden Beds planted, pots spray painted and planted

Pots in front planted

The pot above is pretty neat. The solar panel on the right charges batteries that run lights inside the pot. It comes on after dark and glows for about 6 hours. It cycles through several different colors. Purchased from Gardener's Supply, here. In addition to planting 6 pots in the front yard with annuals, he also planted some new perennials and took care of some weeds and dead plants.

Funny Story: Over the weekend a woman rang our door bell to ask who did our front yard because she wanted to hire them to do her yard. LOL! My dad, my husband and I did the front yard and we aren't for hire. It was a nice compliment though.

My mom and I did several sewing room type projects.

Little Duffle, large size

Fun music fabric on the inside of the duffle

New bag pattern

What a fun and easy bag to make! Just requires two fat quarters and a zipper. We also used some interfacing on the back pocket.

Entire scrap bin cut into 2" and 4" squares

I wish I had taken a before photo of the plastic bin on the left. It was packed full of fabric scraps. My mom cut it ALL up for me. Sweet! In addition to the squares, she also cut a tumbler shape from every piece she could get one from and cut herself some strips for one of her own projects (not shown in the photo above).

Randomness

My first scrap group met yesterday at my LQS. We had a great time. I blogged about it yesterday afternoon on the Heartstrings & Heirlooms blog. Click here to read about it and see everyone's blocks.

I am making slow progress on my "thinking outside the kit" challenge project. So far I've cut a bunch of 5" squares.

photo was taken at night which is why the lighting is bad

And then turned them into four patches.

I used a new-to-me technique to make these four patches. I didn't take any photos of the process but I will and do a little tutorial for you on the process soon.

I bought a new bag pattern for my collection. Because the only thing better than a new bag is a new bag pattern. LOL!

Another Terry Atkinson pattern. I just love her patterns! I haven't even had time to make one of these yet. My parents are arriving today for a short visit. This looks like a fun pattern to try with my mom.

I may be a bit quiet for the next few days because my parents will be visiting. I'll catch up with you after they leave.

Think Outside the Kit

My LQS has had these kits hanging around for several years. The date on the selvedge of one of the fabrics is 2010. There are four of them, one for each season. These kits are not selling, even at 50% off.

I decided to buy one and challenge myself to make something with it. I got the Summer kit. This is the free pattern that comes with it.

Meh!

But look at all the great fabrics in this kit!

I can definitely do something fun with these. I even have somewhat of a plan. Stay tuned to see how this turns out ...

Evolution of a Pin Cushion

I've started working on a new pin cushion. Why? Just because the pattern is so stinkin' cute!

I've still got a couple of buttons to go along the bottom. Then I need to make a sand bag and finish it up. The pattern is by Sue Spargo and was published in the July/August 2008 issue of Love of Quilting.

A Dozen Scrap Jar Stars

I've got 12 stars assembled.

Currently this measures 45" by 60" since each block is 15" finished. I'm not sure if I'm done with this or if I will make another row or two. It will be a charity quilt when completed.

This is going to be the first project I hand out to my Happy Scrappers Group. We meet for the first time next week.