Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I just wanted to pop over to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

My life has been crazy lately.  I have changed jobs twice in the last 12 mths so that has been crazy.  I am still in my same new job but much much closer to home.  This is great and hopefully will allow me to get into a much better schedule with work and home.  I have great ideas and plans for next year.  If you haven't given up on me yet thanks so much.  I am going to commit to blogging and sewing for 2017.  I want to see if this goes anywhere and at the very least support the habit so to speak.  I am going to Quilt Con in Feb, and am so beyond excited about it.  I need to decide if I want to stay with blogger or switch to another format.  So look for new and exciting things in 2017.  I have been posting much more on Instagram so please follow along there as well at imperfectly_perfect_quilts

So stay tuned I will be doing a huge destash and giveaway.  I have got to get a handle on this sewing room(s).  I am off work all next week and I am having a purge.  I will post my destash on instagram so be on the look out.  I hope to get busy early in the week and destash by the end so I can mail everything out before going back to work. 

So thank you all for being readers and I hope to really commit to this in 2017 and see what happens.  Merry Christmas to you all!

Stephanie

Summertime slow down

Hello all and happy summer!

We are literally just starting summer this week here on the farm.  It has rained everyday for what seems like 2 solid months.  I am not complaining as rain is needed especially for a farm, however, everything in moderation, right!  So this week promises no rain and highs in the 90s which my tomatoes should really appreciate.  All the farmers too, it is hay season here in my area and well wet hay is not a good thing.  So...

Well I think i mentioned that I had the privileged of making a quilt for Art Gallery Fabrics.   This quilt was for spring market and featured their denim.   I had such fum working with their fabrics.  If you have been following along you know I LOVE Art Gallery Fabrics.  Well I was told not to show it due to revel at market or something along those lines, so I assume since market is over it will be ok.  I have to say I really did like this finished product.

I was given a lot of scraps and some of the denim and free range.  This is a pattern inspired by Jeni Bakers book The half square triangle.  I say inspired because it is not exactly any of those patterns but I did take inspiration from them and it is pretty close.  I always want to give credit!  So this was due the 1st part of May.

Then comes my nephew graduations, and I took it upon myself to design him a quilt.   My nephew is well picky to say the least and he was the youngest before my child.  He has been all over me about when will I make him a quilt since "everyone"  else has a quilt.  I told him graduation so I was on the hook.  Needless to say that became 2 good size quilts within about two weeks of each other.  He played football and at one time (last I heard) he wanted to be a coach.  I made him a football field.  Wouldn't ya know it now he doesn't want to be a coach so well I tried!  I pieced this entire football field together did all the math and everything.  I could not find any kind of pattern at all.  So this is an original with no type of inspired by lol!  I think it turned out pretty decent!  I actually think he liked it.  (he doesn't like anything so that is pretty big).

So after that roller coaster of a May I got burnt out.  I hate when that happens because I do love sewing and well my work situation is very weird right now.  The cliff note part is I have a new job, but no boss yet (which sounds fabulous but...)  so I have to just do whatever and of course its the worst jobs no one wants.  So sewing is my stress reliever but it was stressing me too.  I have taken a SSSSLLLLOOOWWW down on that front.  I am catching up on all my BOM, bags etc that took a huge back burner from the have to sewing.  I started on the Sugar Block Club blocks 1st.   This is by my friend Amy Gibson who really is the sweetest in person as she seems on her blog.  I have to say a slow down is perfect.  I have been "intentionally"  piecing each block and really taking the process in.  I am loving it!  Not rushing not trying to hurry cause a deadline is close.  I am so enjoying it, and learning!  I am really learning the different techniques in each block.  If you will remember I am doing a 3 years at the same time lol!  I overwhelm myself it is a curse!  I have caught up completely with the 1st year Jan-June and am working on year 2 now.  I will be caught up with all 3 years to June this month and back on track!  

Year 1 blocks Jan-June

Year 2 Jan-Mar so far

 

I have also let the Bag of the Month fall to side.  Yall know I love bags.  I have only got 2 patterns done right now, and there are 6 so that makes me a little sad.  I have one pattern that I am itching to try before the whole thing is over so I can submit it for the giveaways.  I will be trying to get it done this month also.  I know that sounds like a lot but I have about 8 blocks left and 1 bag.  That seems doable for the end of the month.  Also be looking for a tutorial coming about inserting a zipper.  I have found a very handy tip.  I will work that in on the bag making.  

I hope everyone is well and enjoying this warm weather if it is warm where you are.  Blessing to you all!

And the winner is...

The winner of the Mod Block Book/Magizine is lalaluu.  I have sent you an email so please get me your contact info.  Thank you all for stopping by. I have been looking around the studio for some more doubles of things I have.  I will try to do another giveaway soon. 

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.  We just got done canning some strawberry jelly.  Nothing like waiting till it really warmed up.  We have this house so hot we have discussed the air conditioner but alas will not do it.  Thanks again and see you back here soon!


Stephanie

Sew South and giveaway

Well hello there!

In typical fashion it has been a while.  I have to say my life is cray cray right now.  I got back from sew south which was fantastic as always.  Then I got back to work and its been a whirlwind ever since.  I have gotten a different job.  Its a promotion (yeah me), and it is also a brand new job to our agency.  Which kinda means no one is sure where to begin.  There are 5 new positions regarding mine within our region.  We are all in house hires, but that means we would leave someplace short handed and right now is crunch time.  What does all that mean, well it means nothing but the pay will change for a while like at least a month or so.  I think it will be a great job when it gets going.  My new title is Conservation Planner Specialist.  I am not sure if it is as fancy of a gig as that seems to sound, but it should be pretty cool.  I get to be outside and talk to people about their properties and their farming operations so that will be great.  I am a talker and I like to be outside so win win!  On to sew south;  I didn't take hardly any pictures.  I was so busy giggling with new and ole friends and sewing I didn't even think about it.  The post the most lovely hostess with the mostest Jenifer made about our weekend is here.  She is also hosting more and that info is here.  I will not be able to attend those dates, but I am banking on a fall 2017.  I am going to Quilt Con next year or bust!  I also have another retreat in Aug 2016.  Me and the small child are going on a school trip to DC in March 2017 so that time frame is pretty booked and my bank account pretty low lol!  So some pics (there are more on my Instagram imperfectly_perfect_quilts) of sew south below.  Oh before I go there I am super excited.  I am sewing up a quilt for art gallery fabrics eeeekkkkkk!!!!!  They are my favorite and I am loving the stuff they sent me.  I am not allowed to show anything which is a bummer.  I can do some sneak peaks on my Instagram.  I can say it is their denim line and OMG that stuff is wow!  So it will be displayed at quilt market is my understanding so if anyone out there is going and could snap me a pic (please and thank you)!  Ok Sew South Pics:

 

My door prize Thank you FQS!

My magnet project!

Our snap pouch project.

Love these!  Another project!

Travel Handmade

 Friends!  Sewing Friends are the Best of Friends!

I had the best time and if you get a chance go you will love it, and you will make friends for a lifetime!  I can't wait to see these girls again down the road!  Love them all!

The giveaway well in the craziness which is my life now I ordered 2 copies of the Missouri Star Mod Block magazine.  I do not need two copies so I will be giving one away to a lovely reader.  Just leave me any ole comment for an entry and if you follow let me know for an additional entry.   Don't be a no reply or I will have to move on if you win.  I will leave it open till next Sunday the 17th.  Thanks for stopping by and good luck.  Oh I will send this anywhere if you win so all are welcome.  Thanks

Bag of the Month and Sew South preperations

Hello all

I have been so busy getting my stuff ready for Sew South.  This will be my second time going, and you can find some info on that visit here,  I loved it and I am going again.  I am going this Thursday eek!  I have been making projects for my secret sister and going crazy trying to figure out about flying with a sewing machine.  I think I have most things ready.  I have some last minute cutting and prepping for projects.  So I really do not have much to show, except...    I literally just finished the February bag in the Bag of the Month Club.  I have to say I do love the bag.  I do not, however see myself ever needing another.  If I was to ever make this bag to sell, well Lordy it would be $$$$$!  Needless to say it is huge like WOW huge. 

I mean look how big.  I am gonna use this as my purse carry on and pack it full!  I have one checked bag that is so packed with sewing stuff and a few clothes.  Then my rolly carry on that has my machine (a brand spanking new one, more on that in another post).  Then this beast.  It is called the Window Shopper by Samantha.  Well I will see yall when I get back.  Stay tuned for post Sew South Pics and posts.  Oh if you want to follow along I am on Instagram here .  I have so much to do before then!  Blessings and love to you all this week!  

Works in Progress

As the title reflects, I have been trying to get these under control.  WIPs we all have them, and I know we do!  It is just something quilters do.  We start a ton of projects before we finish other ones.  I am not sure why.  For me, I think I get immediately inspired about something and I have to do it right then.  I am not one to make resolutions really.  I am not sure the point of them.  I guess my goal for this year is to get some of these under control.  So to actually do this I have been skipping out on signing up for a bunch of swaps.  I thought I would be missing out, but it is surprisingly freeing.  I was one of those that signed up for every swap from day one of quilting.  I literally never sewed anything for myself.  Needless to say I was stressed.  I am so laid back with my sewing lately and really taking in the entire process.  Really learning my style and technique.  I have to say I have learned so much from myself and just being able to think things through, design my own thing and really learn what works best for me.  I would recommend it.  I did a scrap bag swap which was actually great.  I am also working on some secret sister sewing for an up coming retreat, but that is it!  No monthly swaps right now.  If I see one that really speaks to me I will, but I am not worried about it at this point. 

I do not have any finishes to show you.  I have some WIPs.  One in fact.  I am still working on BOMs from 2+ years ago as I mentioned in my last post.

With all that said I did start a new project, which I am fixing to put in the WIP pile and hopefully finish at a retreat I am going to next moth (more on that later).  I have some tips I will be mentioning with this particular project.  I decided to try out the 10"slicer from Crafty Gemini.  As you may know I am in Vanessa's quilt club, which I love.  We have also met in person at a retreat she did, and I consider her a quilty friend indeed!  I have at the slicer since the November 2015 Quilty Box, which Vanessa curated and it was fabulous.  I just have not had a chance to dig into it yet.  I used the tutorial from the craft mummy here.  So lets take a look!

First off here is what the slicer looks like.  It is made to be used with Layer Cakes (10" square precuts).  Vanessa has a ton of info on the her web site about the slicer. 

 

I used a layer cake by Elizabeth Hartman called Rhoda Ruth.  Now as the title of the block implies (Wonky Cross Block) it is wonky.  So how does one square up a block that is wonky on all sides and no straight edge to start with.  Well here is how I do it.  

As you can see the constructions leaves some weird edges.  This is due to not all precuts being equal,  operator error, bias cutting, and well It just happens!  I actually glue basted all these seams to help keep the smaller pieces from going crazy and it worked great. As you can tell there are no straight edges to square with.  

I used my 12.5 square ruler and the 45 degree line to help me.  As you can hopefully see I lined the angle up not the edges.  I wanted my blocks to be 8.5 so I match my 45 up so that all the way around I had at least the 8.5 marks all covered by the block.  I then made my 1st 2 cuts on the right side and top of the ruler.

Next you can just line up the 8.5 mark as usual along the bottom and left side.  The square up the remaining right and top side of the block.  There really is not much waste at all with these blocks.  I love this fabric line it made the contrast really looks good! 

My daughter and I decided that white 1" sashing just along the sides and a 2" boarder of one of the prints would be a great layout for this quilt.  She likes to help me design :).  Like I said I think I will pack this one to finish the top at the retreat.  I like to have a something I know I can finish.  It is a little disappointing to not have a finished product when leaving a retreat.  Basically I will cut my strips and have that ready to just sew it all up and have a fast finish for the show and tell part.  If I am lucky I can have more than one finish, but I like to have a guarantee.  I will discuss preparing for a retreat in a later post. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Again if anyone is out there I would love an encouraging comment. Just to know someone is reading.  It does take some time to plan each post, and I am not sure if I am talking to myself or not.  Thanks yall!  Have a blessed week! 

 

Winter Week is here

Wow what a week.  I have not put a full days work in this entire week with this winter weather.  Not that I am at all complaining!  I have been sewing my heart out.  I even sprang for a massage this week, which has really helped with my headaches!  Woo hoo relief! 

On to the projects:

These are Sugar Blocks for January of 2013, 2014, and 2016.  There was not a 2015 club.  As you can see I am way behind.  I thought I would just do them all at once and actually finish it this year!  You can find the information for 2016 Sugar Block club by Amy Gibson here.  It is a free Block of the Month and I have to say the 1st month is super cute so far!  Give it a try and tell Amy I sent you! 

Next up:

 This is the January Project for the Crafty Genini Quilt Club, information here.  I have to say I love this project.  The above I sent in a scrap bag fabric swap.  The next one here in the Mixology I made for my lil sweet pea to keep her homework list in.  The last one I made to match my purse I made.  Info for that in my last blog post here. 

The last projects I have been working on are from yet another quilt club, info here. 

 These tea towels were so fast and easy.  I absolutely love them!  Can't wait to see the next pattern.

As you can see this is not quilted, but I do have my quilt lines drawn out.  The pattern is called broken dishes, and yes that one block is supposed to be turned that way.  I think I will make this a wall hanging for a bathroom in the house.  It would be perfect.

As you can see I am in a lot of clubs.  I do this because I have no guild or anyone at all close to me that quilts or sews for that matter.  It is so wonderful to have this technology to connect with wonderful sewing friends.  Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you like all my projects and snow sewing!  Let me know what yall have been working on.  It has been super quiet on my posts lately.  Thanks and have a blessed week!

Beautiful Winter

Well I don't know about where yall live but Jan has been pretty mild so far.  We did have a bout of a lot of rain, but it has been in the 60s.  However next week it will be brutally cold; high Monday 28 EEK!  I am having a long weekend with a holiday and I have some appointments so at least from work I will get 4 days off.  I plan to sew a bunch if I can.  Things never turn out the way I plan, but I have hope to get a few small projects done! 

I have a few finishes to show:

This is my version of the January bag in the Bag of the Month Club  the pattern is by Betz White.  It is so great and I love the bag.  I do kinda hate the twist closure that you have to screw together.  It was a super challenge.  I will make this again and hopefully sell the bag.  I really have to get my input costs down for sure.  Uggh stress!

A finish I am super proud of and is quilty related is our door!

 How cool is that!  We have been in our house for 2.5 years and finally got around to doing one of the doors in our basement.  Our basement is very rustic and done in old barn wood and tin.  All the interior windows and doors came out of a very old house on my parents' farm.  The husband in all his cuteness said lets do them in quilt block patterns!  Um what!  Of course that is perfect (and so is he sigh...)  This is our 1st attempt and I love it!  This is a faux stained glass process. 

Well that looks like all for now.  I hope to have a productive weekend and more finishes coming soon!  Blessings to you all! 

Happy New Year! New Plans for 2016

Well I hope everyone had a very safe New Years Eve and are recovering nicely today :)!  We had my brother's family over and played cards and watched 80s movies.  I made it till probably 11:15 pm lol!  We had fun and everyone is safe so it was fabulous! 

I was a sewing mad woman this Christmas and did many handmade items.  2 quilts several bags and other items!  Here are a few as I am bad about getting pictures. 

There is the envelope quilt which I called Letters from Home and it just kind of happened.  I did not have a pattern although I am sure there are several out there.  The next is the Runaround bag that is a Craftsy class Zip it Up!  Then a Christmas tree table runner that MSQC made a tutorial on here.  Then the Jenna tote which is one of my fav patterns found here.  Then the barn star quilt pattern by Amy Gibson of Stitchory Dickory Dock pattern here.  There were others but alas it was a very busy time. 

 I must share some gifts I received from my wonderful husband.  For my birthday and Christmas. 

He handmade me a quilt ladder and a sewing table.  WHAT!!!!  The sewing table is from wood cut off our place even!  How totally awesome is that?!  I love him he totally gets me :) !

So what is new for 2016.  Well I plan to sew bags and other items to sell.  This is a huge step for me and I am very nervous if this is something I will like.  I have a fortune in sewing supplies and need to actually turn some type of income to support my habit lol!  My husband has been very supportive (pushing me) to do this, and it is is probably time.  I have a lot of requests for my bags and I think it will be ok.  I have decided to only do in-stock bags and not custom orders.  I think that will be much less stressful.  I think I will start on Etsy, but I have had an offer to place items in a local store here as well so I will need to think about that and the details that come with that.  I have made forms to figure up my time and materials per bag pattern and then decide on price.  I am not sure when I will launch everything but it will be this year.  I may even do some craft shows.  I need to get some wholesale accounts set up and it is a process.  Wish me luck! 

Another thing is I plan to do much better with blogging this every few month deal is not cutting it.  I do post more on Instagram, but I feel blogging has taken a hit and less information is passed on IG than on the blogs.  Organization will be key so that is why I jumped on the Quilter's Planner band wagon.  Just click the name and learn all about it.  I am super happy with mine and feel like it is a perfect fit!  I love it. 

So look for more interactions from me and the launch of my Etsy site.  I am super excited and I am super open to any tips and tricks with Etsy or starting a handmade business anyone has to offer.!  With the launch of all the new I decided to have a new email to be strictly business.  You can reach me at imperfectlyperfectquilts@gmail.com.

 Thank you all for staying followers and have a very blessed New Year!