Blogger's Quilt Festival Voting

I have received some emails stating that you could not see my quilt that I entered into the blogger's quilt festival. Here's another picture of the quilt:

The link to the festival is here:

Blogger's Quilt Festival

While you are there, the voting for favorite quilt is now open. I am quilt # 416...since I know you were wanting to vote for me! :) Hint hint

Thank you in advance.

Tonya

Winner Announcement!

Mr. Random Number Generator has selected our winner for the Fabrics You Love Giveaway.


True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:23Powered by RANDOM.ORG
That makes our winner Franni. 
Congrats Franni, I am sending you an email now to get your address in order to send this out! 
Thank you to all of the entries and new followers as well. 
Tonya 

Blogger’s Quilt Festival

Today I am posting my entry into the Blogger's Quilt Festival over at Amy's Creative Side.

My entry is my Spiderweb 2 quilt. 

This is a 96" X 108" quilt made using all black & white fabrics with the exception of the binding. I threw in a little pop of color on the binding. 

Here's a picture before the quilting...

I originally made this quilt as a commission but when the intended buyer did not take the quilt, it went to live on my bed. It looks great there and I am happy that things worked out that way in the end. 

Blogger’s Quilt Festival Stats

Finished quilt measures : 96″x 108″

Special techniques used : foundation piecing

Quilted by : me, Tonya Jespersen on my home domestic sewing machine

Best Category : Two Color Quilts, Best Bed Quilt, Best Home Machine Quilted Quilt

Thanks for considering my entry. 

Tonya 

CMQ Epic Scrap Vomit Challenge Week 2

I am a day late with my progress report this week. I hope that you will forgive me.

Week 2 update - currently 15 blocks behind

I have done plenty of sorting through and cutting 2 1/2 blocks from the scraps. I still have a large stack of scraps to cut so this will occupy me for a while. Once the scraps are ready then assembling to the blocks should go fairly quickly.

This project is right on time...the scrap bins were running over! I love sorting through them and remembering the projects from which each peice came. Such memories!

I keep posting my progress, good , bad or ugly every week for all to see.

Have a great weekend.

Tonya

Big Sister's Gift

Earlier this week I showed you the baby quilt I made for a friend's new granddaughter but I wanted to make a little something for older sister before I sent the gift. I was told that the little two year old really loves her leap pad so I made her this...

A little purse to hold her leap pad and the accessories. Every little girl needs a purse.

I used a chocolate colored pin dot for the lining of the zipper pocket. This was the first time that I have sewn a zipper and actually had it look right. Yay me!

I used some of the lovely Ta Dot fabric for the lining. I used interfacing and quilt batting to pad this. This little baby has plenty of padding to stand up to the abuse that a two year old can dish out.

Now I can mail this out to my friend for her lovely granddaughter's to enjoy!

Tonya

Bliss Baby Quilt

I held on to the Moda fabric line Bliss by Bonnie & Camille for more about 2 years waiting for a project to make with it. Finally I decided that a little girl should have a snugly quilt to enjoy rather than just continue to look at it.

 When a friend told me that she new grand-baby was her & a girl, I knew the time was finally right. 

I used part of a layer cake, some minky in a soft aqua and pale pink, and even scraps of denim from a Halloween costume from a few years back. I think I came up with something that is both beautiful and will have great texture as the baby discovers them!

 I backed this quilt with a leftover fabric I had in my stash and finished it with a light pink polka dot binding that I love!

I think they will love it!

I heard that the new baby has an older sister so I made a little something for her as well. I will post pictures of sister's gift tomorrow.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway that Fabrics You Love so generously gave me for one of you. I will be drawing the winner from the entries on 10/29/12.

Tonya 

GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCEMENT!

I have some exciting news today! I am announcing the very first giveaway on this blog!

My fabric sponsor, Fabrics You Love has generously donated this lovely design roll.

 Pretty Little Things Design Roll
Dena Designs for Free Spirit Fabrics 
Pretty Little Things Design Roll includes 30 2 1/2" strips rolled up and tied with a cute ribbon.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED....The winner was # 23, Franni

You will have a chance for a total of 5 entries into this giveaway. 

How to earn entries in the giveaway? 

1. Leave a comment on this post for one entry. 

2. If you follow my blog, you will receive an additional entry. Please leave a comment under this post for you "follow" to be counted. 

3. Stop by Fabrics You Love and then come back here to leave a comment under this post letting me know your favorite item in the shop. 

4. Like me on Facebook and then come back and leave a comment under this post letting me know that you did. 

5. Either blog, Tweet, pin on Pinterest or Facebook about this giveaway for another entry. Leave a comment under this post to let me know which you did for another entry. 

I will use a random number generator at 4:00 pm 10/29/12 to draw the winner and will announce it here. 

Good luck! 

Tonya 

CMQ Epic Scrap Vomit Adventure Week 1

For those of you that are following the progress of the ridiculous crazy challenge that I issued for myself, I present my week one (or first 3 days) progress.

Brace yourself.....

LOL

Yes, that's my progress for the first 3 days. Impressive, right? I'm not really worried about it because the weekend is here and I will make some great progress this weekend.

Well, I will check in with you again next week and I am sure you will have more to enjoy then.

Tonya

Challenge for Mimi

Have you seen the scrap vomit quilts all over the place?

Like this one...

 Or this one?

I love them! I have an overflowing scrap bin and have been wanting to make a postage stamp quilt for a while. So...

My plan is to make a scrap vomit block per day from now until December 2013 as I work on other projects. If I can stick to this goal, I can have not one but nine queen sized scrap vomit quilts to give as gifts next Christmas! WOW!

The rules:
1. All fabric must come from my scrap bins (with the exception of the backing fabric and the solids).
2. I must make one block per day beginning today, 10/10/12.
3. All quilts must be made of 49 each 14 inch blocks in order to be queen sized.
4. None of the completed quilts can be given away prior to Christmas 2013.
5. None of the intended recipients of these quilts can know about the project. Shh...top secret!

Wish me luck in my new adventure and check back on Fridays between now and December 2013 for updates on the project. Anyone interested in joining me? Maybe on a smaller scale...like making one?

Hugs,
Tonya

New Blog Sponsor

Today I am very pleased to introduce my new fabric sponsor Fabrics You Love ! I have purchased from Fabrics You Love several times, and the shop owner, Kelly is very helpful and shipping very prompt!

Fabrics You Love specializes in fresh modern fabrics from all of the manufacturers that we love like Westminster, Freespirit, Robert Kaufman, Michael Miller, just to name a few. 

One of my favorite things from the shop is this cute new fabric bundle. Aren't the colors & prints just adorable? 

I bought these goodies from her shop recently: 

The prices, the service and the selection at this store cannot be beat which is why I return to shop time after time. I am excited about being sponsored by a shop that already feels like family. Go & see the shop & pick up some great deals for yourself...you'll be glad you did!

Tonya 

New Stash

When I first started quilting back in 2010 all the cool kids were quilting with the Tufted Tweets fabric. I was so jealous. :( When Robert Kaufman introduced Perfectly Perched I was not about to miss out! I bought these beauties from my favorite online store, Fabrics You Love. And trust  me...you will love her store, her fabrics and her prices!

Now, what am I going to make with these cuties?

Tonya

Completed Quilts

Completed Quilts, a photo by crazymimisews on Flickr.

I have been busy & rather productive this week. The proof is above.

I completed the scrap quilt and two others. I think this would be considered as getting my Mojo back! I even cut into fabric that I was hoarding saving for two years.

Just a sneak peek here....I will post the actual photos later this week.

Now I am off to work on some pillow covers.

Have a quilty day! :)

Tonya

Introducing...Jennifer from Glinda Quilts

Today I am starting a new feature on my blog where I will introduce you to a new or new to me blogger. First up I would like to introduce you to a great blogger and quilter named Jennifer that blogs over at Glinda's Quilts. She stumbled upon my blog and once I went to her blog I realized that we have a lot in common and I felt an instant connection to this sweet lady.

Go by & check out her blog and tell her I sent you! She will be glad to see you!

ME: So tell us Jennifer, when did you begin quilting and how did you get started?

Jennifer: I began quilting in January 2010 when we visited friends in Yorkshire.  Whilst our husbands went to watch a football match, Penny showed me her sewing room. She is a prolific and academic quilter (she's passed exams and all sorts of courses) and she showed me how to rotary cut and sew a 1/4" seam ... I was pretty rubbish at first and it took me hours and hours of practice to master the basics. I cant believe how far I've come since that humble start! 

ME: When do you quilt & where?

Jennifer: In my loft. I'm really lucky to have a sewing room where I can lose myself in all things quilting and forget about the real world. I quilt in the evenings after work and at the weekends. I've been known to be up there at 7am on a Saturday whilst hubby is still sleeping!

ME: Do you have any favorite fabric manufacturers, designers or fabric lines?

Jennifer: That's a toughie ... All fabric is a pleasure but if you're going to push me - I love Moda, Makower and Michael Miller ... All the Ms! And any fabric if it's pink :)

ME: What current project(s) are you working on?

Jennifer: I have started two lap quilts this week. The first is for my husband's cousin who lives in Harrisburg, PA. the second is for my dear Aunt. She is very kind to me and bought my Juki sewing machine for me last year so I couldn't refuse when she looked on my blog yesterday then emailed a request for a lap quilt :) 

ME : Can you tell us about the “Pants Bag” that you make and how it came to be?

Jennifer: I love making my "Pants Bags" - it started at the beginning of my sewing life when I didn't dare to believe I could sew anything bigger! I made them to practice rotary cutting and piecing. Everyone loves them for their holidays cos you don't have to unpack your clean drawers and put them in dirty drawers! I've definitely improved since my first one (I think I've made about 40 now for family and friends and have even been paid for a couple ... Yay!) and this is one of my most recent:

ME: Do you have an all-time favorite project that you have made or maybe one that was the most challenging, or that you are most proud of?

Jennifer:  Gosh, another toughie: I had to ask my husband and he said 'you love them all for different reasons'. Technically, I think 'USA #5' was the most challenging as it was on point and took me a while to design and, collectively,  the whole 5 x USA quilts were very special because I made them with my late great-aunt's fabric. 

http://glindaquilts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/finished-usa-5.html

ME : Is there anything else that you would like us to know about you or your quilting? 

Jennifer: I'm a perfectionist and impatient ... If I can learn to quilt, anyone can!  

I really want to get better at blogging so that I can enjoy the online community a bit more. I'm more nervous of making a mistake with my blog posts than I am with my quilting! I am so thankful to all the clever quilters and bloggers out there ... I find you all so incredibly talented and inspiring ... thank you :)

Isn't she a doll. I love her "Pants Bag" and I will never look at my vacation undies the same! LOL Thanks for stopping by and reading my first of many interviews! Don't forget to stop by & see Jennifer at Glinda's Quilts. 

Tonya 

Love Pin Win!

I love The Moda Bakeshop! I am constantly on there looking for inspiration! And inspiration I have found!

I made all of the following projects using Moda Bake Shop tutorials.

So when I saw they announced a new contest, of course I had to be in on it!

The project I am most drooling over right now has to be this one:
Dancing Daises Quilt


It's a Drunkard's Path, which I have been wanting to try! It's a daisy pattern, which I LOVE! It's made from Marmalade by Bonnie & Camille, which I can't wait to get my hands on! This project is a total triple threat...but whether I win or not...this baby's going down!

Tonya

Michael Miller Ta Dots

Michael Miller Ta Dots, a photo by crazymimisews on Flickr.

I found a great online sale on Michael Miller Ta Dots and one Amy Butler dot and since I had made me a fat stack of cash making 2 Crown Royal bag quilts for a friend, I decided to splurge.

BIG TIME SPLURGE!!! :)

That's over 30 yards of fabric goodness there! What am I going to do with all of these dots you may ask, well that's easy...anything I want! I love them! I want to spread them on the floor & roll in them but in the interest of hygiene I will refrain.

These lovelies arrived in the mail on a day that Mr. Mimi was off work and I was so afraid that he would hear the UPS man before I did but I got lucky. Now normally I have a "Welcome Home" routine for my new fabric. They don't get just shoved into the stash cabinet. They get a loving caress and then I open up the stash cabinet & introduce them to the neighborhood, we have a little block party (if you will) and then they can select their new home. With Mr. Mimi home and hot on my heels, I have to just shove them rudely into the sewing room and close the door until later when we could have our time for our ritual.

Anywho, all is well now. They are properly introduced/debuted to the rest of the cabinet and have selected some nice temporary homes.

Tonya

Revamped Stash Cabinet

Revamped Stash Cabinet, a photo by crazymimisews on Flickr.

This weekend I spent some time housekeeping...no, not that kind of housekeeping. I was "housekeeping" my stash. Now doesn't that look so much better? 

 It took me five hours to sort it into color order and put back into the cabinet. You should have seen the room while I was working on it! It looked like a quilt shop had thrown up in there! LOL

 Doesn't that stack of lovelies just inspire you?

 These shelves hold flannels, larger than one yard cuts and work in progress.

I have to say, this is my favorite part of the entire cabinet. Don't tell the other colors but I am a pink girl. I LOVE pink! Always have, always will!

I have some new fabric purchases that I will show you in the next few days. I needed to clean the cabinet in order to fit them in.

Happy Quilting!
Tonya

WIP

Scrap Quilt WIP, a photo by crazymimisews on Flickr.

This weekend I am busy quilting ADD style. I have four projects going on at the same time.This is not my usual style. I am typically a one project at a time kind of girl so it does make me a little nervous working this way but I will have to say it's nice to be able to switch to another project if I get bored with one. Maybe this will be my new normal...maybe not.

Up first project # 1: A little scrap quilt to manage the overflowing scrap bins in my sewing room. I love me a good scrap quilt. As far as I am concerned this mean it's a free project! FREE, now that's what I am talking 'bout!

I hope that you are having a safe Labor Day weekend! I am enjoying mine very much!

Tonya

Cousin Quilts

Cactus front, a photo by crazymimisews on Flickr.

What do you do when you have a new fat quarter bundle, 1 week & a birthday invitation for cousins? You grab some Kona solids & then sew like a crazy woman to get them finished on time! LOL 

My step-daughter invited me to a birthday party for her little one that was turning one. Little one's cousin would be there, of course, and the very next week she would be two. I didn't want to show up with a gift for one of the girls and not the other one so what's a Mimi to do...

I love the cousin quilts made from Riley Blake's Dress Up Days. I wanted to use up every last inch of the adorable fabric and I accomplished that with these cute but so easy quilts. Both girls love them and they will sleep under them for years to come. So much better than a toy if you ask me!

Tonya

Pretty Little Things & Chicopee

Pretty Little Things, a photo by crazymimisews on Flickr.

I made a virtual stop in my favorite shop on Etsy. I kinda blew my budget but I got some pretty things.

First up is 1 yard of each of the prints from Pretty LittleThings from Westminster Fabrics and a design roll of the same fabric. I am already planning lots of pretty projects with these lovelies.

Then I bought a 6" charm pack of Chicopee. I don't see them listed in the store right now but if you are interested in some, contact them to see if they have more.

I just love getting new fabrics!

Thanks for stopping by!

Wing it

wing it 002, a photo by crazymimisews on Flickr.

This is a quilt that I made for a friend. I think it's a perfect little quilt for a little one.

 I love the look of a quilt draped over a chair.

I used the leftover blocks in the backing. I love to piece my backs.

I am currently working on several projects that I will be finishing soon. I have lots of good stuff to share soon!

Stash Cabinet

Stash Cabinet, a photo by crazymimisews on Flickr.

I have a confession to make, I have been growing a 'Stash....

Of lovely fabrics stash, that is! The Moda Bake Shop announced a contest asking you to show off your stash & sewing space. While my sewing room is a work in progress and I am not quite ready to debute it just yet, I am proud of the little stash I have amassed and am proud to show you.

 The picture above is the whole cabinet.

The first shelf holds all of my pre-cuts and fat quarters. I have a thing for pre-cuts. I love when for a minimal investment, I can have a whole line of fabric.Now I just need to do more with the one's I have!

The second shelf holds all of my one yard & up cuts. I am drooling over the Riley Blake small chevrons right now (above). I buy most of my fabric from my favorite store on Etsy. You should go & check it out! They have a great selection of fresh modern fabrics and prices you will love! Tell 'em I sent you.

And finally the last two shelves. These hold odd fabric, minky and other craft materials on one side. The other side is a staging area of sorts where I keep the fabrics for the next project or two. I am always thinking of the next project.

Well thanks for stopping by & taking a look at my stash.