Wednesday, February 08, 2012

I'm an extremist...

...or so it seems! Tara and I had the chance to sew together in while she was here and it was wonderful! We made either very tiny things or very big things, but nothing in between!
We made these tiny wonky whirlygiggle blocks. These were going to be pin cushions, but I think they may turn into a mini quilt instead. Each block will finish at 2.5" x 3". Eeek! I love tiny things!! Especially when they are made from scraps!

I also made this darling little "pin" cushion.
Tara is a part of the Ringo Pie Bee this year, which means she is going to be doing a lot of paper piecing! I thought it would be fun to make her a little cushion to help her keep her sewing machine needles separated. One side is designated for fabric needles and the other side is for needles that have been used for paper piecing (because they dull more quickly after sewing through paper). I absolutely LOVE it! Which means I'll probably be making another one for me. No wonder my sewing list never gets any shorter....but I wouldn't have it any other way!
We also made matching handbags. While we were out shopping, Tara picked up the pattern for the Betty Shopper, by Amy Butler. Amy's patterns really turn out a terrific end product, but they also can be a little intense to sew up. Thankfully Tara was deciphering the directions and then told me what to do after she did hers. Phew!
We didn't have grommets on hand, as the pattern called for, so we sewed the handles to the bag instead, then used antique buttons for a bit of embellishment. I love that touch! And I love making do with what I had on hand.
The bag is HUGE!!! I heard that my almost 9 year old son actually fit in it and it looked like the bag could double as a kayak. I don't actually have proof, and I didn't see it happen, but I would imagine it was hilarious! Maybe I'll have to have him try it out again. :)

37 comments:

Heidi Staples said...

Love your blocks and pin cushion. The colors are fantastic!

Katherine said...

Sounds and looks like you and Tara had a great time. Too cool to make matching bags. I'm loving the teeny blocks too. Plus that pin cushion is beyond cute!

Melissa said...

I love the whirly gigs!!! I have to try those :)

carol said...

I love your whirly gigs too and can't wait to see the finished mini quilt!! It will be marvelous!!

Gigi's Thimble said...

they're all such cute projects. sounds like a perfect girls weekend.

~ amber

Live a Colorful Life said...

LOVE your whirly giggles. Actually I just love saying "whirly giggles" out loud. It makes me smile. And the pincushion is awesome. I wouldn't be surprised if I make one as well.

Funny about the bag. My one experience with an Amy Butler pattern (the infamous Weekender) caused me to start drinking heavily. Well, not really. But I certainly felt like it!

Alli said...

Your pincushion is adorable! I love that you made your own paper fabric with the blue thread. :) And please do have your son recreate the purse-kayak -- I'd love to see that! :D

Linda said...

LOL, I can just picture P trying to sit in the bag, LOL. Sounds like you had a fun time! :)

bethanndodd said...

Love it all! Especially hearing that you got to spend some quality sewing time with a great friend, there's nothing like it ;) My Terra is planning a trip at the end of the month so we can do the same and I can't wait! Smiles~Beth
PS~would love to see pics of your guy in that bag...hilarious!

Shannon said...

Oh my gosh! I have to make one of those pin cushions for myself! I can never keep track of my paper piecing needles....or even used vs new fabric needles...this is genius!!!

Diane Swett said...

the bags are great I just love the pin cushion for needles for sewing and piecing since [piecing is becomieg a favorite of mine - I love to use my scraps too.

Colby said...

Love the wonky whirligigs! I've never seen those before!

Suzanne said...

You have talent to make scrappy look good! That pincushion is so cute and seeing your whirlygiggles reminds me that I have had those on my "list" forever!

Jennifer R. said...

Love your whirlygiggles!! And the bags are awesome!

Staci said...

Thanks for the smile! Wonderful projects of all sizes~

Emily said...

Whoa, those are CRAZY small whirlygiggles! :)

Farmgirl Heidi said...

Hi,
I enjoy reading your blog and I would like to recognize you by awarding your blog the Versatile Blogger Award. If you would like to accept it, please go to my blog to receive it here:

http://whitewolfsummitfarmgirl.blogspot.com/2012/02/versatile-blogger-award.html

If you do not accept blog awards, please just ignore my request and have a nice day.

Thank you,

Heidi

Donna said...

Love that fabric you used for your purses.

Hilary said...

Hi, this is my first visit to your blog and I just wanted to say 'hello' ... I love your work, your colour choices are so fresh and inspiring, I am very new to quilting and so am very inspired by your work! Am adding you to my favourites!! Lovely to meet you :)

Freddie said...

Teeny tiny whirlygig is too cute.

Leslie said...

great bag....i would love to see a kid in it!!! the pin cushion is so fun....isn't it great to sew with a friend?

Mike Pearson said...

love the thingamablocks and the pin cushion! thanks for sharing!

Claire Jain said...

Oh wow! Ya'll have been having a lot of fun :-) I'm going to look up that paper piecing bee. I've been having fun making rose star blocks with selfsewn.

barbara woods said...

thanks for sharing love the little blocks

Karen said...

Looks like you two had a great time sewing! I LOVE everything you made!

Clair said...

The whirlygiggle blocks are so cute.

Carolyn J. said...

Cute bag!

Mama Pea said...

I love tiny things, too. So, I love your whirlygiggle blocks and your little pincushion. I have been too scared to attempt an Amy Butler bag. Good for you for doing it! It turned out beautiful!

tahoe34 said...

What line is the beautiful fabric in your bag from? I LOVE IT!!!!

Nicole G said...

Adorable work!!!

Chase said...

This bag looks so great! My mom would love to have a big bag! She brings everything/ anything with her all the time. This bag would be so great for a weekend away.... love it!!

Katie said...

I love the pin cushion! Such a great idea. I do a little sewing on paper but keep the needles I use for it in a small plastic bag. If it was more often, something like this would be handy to have.

quirky granola girl said...

that pincushion is freakin' brilliant.

Liz said...

Your fabric choice is beautiful!

leanne said...

those little whirlygiggle blocks are gorgeous and thanks soooo much for that fabric and paper pincushion idea - I've just done a heap of paper piecing and thought I'd kept my needle separate but when I went to use it again I wasn't sure if it was the right one so with this pincushion I'll always know - thanks - must make one soon :)

Cheerful Homemaker said...

Cute bags!

I tend to make larger squares. I prefer instant gratification and tiny blocks make me feel as though I'm making zero progress!

Annessa said...

Very awesome! Love the pin cushion.