Vroom!

 A couple of weeks ago, I broke a metal tape measure.  I didn't feel too bad about it, though, because I knew just what I'd do with it!

I needed a pouch to hold coupons in my purse.  Using this tutorial, I measured my stack of coupons and adjusted the sizes as needed.  It went together fairly quickly and easily.  I didn't need to box the corners. 

Before I cut the scooter print, I could have straightened out the pattern a little, I suppose.  Oh, well.  Now I have a cute pouch for coupons that reminds me of the Italy!  Win!

Cozy iPhone

 After spending a few hours tidying up my sewing room, I needed to make something!

This iPhone sleeve tutorial popped up in Pinterest yesterday, and  I knew just where to find some fun fabric scraps!

Thirty minutes later, my iPhone3 has a cozy new home.  It is a little snug for Julia's iPhone4, so I'll need to make hers a tiny bit wider.

 

I had purchased a clear case so I could customize it with scrapbook paper.  This Amy Butler paper is really thick (cardstock), so now I'm thinking I will try a scrap of coordinating fabric.  My phone has rounded corners, so the paper gets smooshed in the corners.  Fabric might fit better.

 

I need to find a carabiner for the tab so I can clip the sleeve to my purse straps.  Pete tends to hoard the carabiners, so I'll get one from him when he gets home from camp.

Cora's Quilt

 Yay!  A completed quilt!

I brought it outside as soon as the label was done.  It was a gorgeous day, but the light was a little harsh.  Some day, I'll learn how to use my new camera!

It is for a new baby in my husband's office.  

(The baby doesn't work in the office, her dad does!)

Her name is Cora Mae.  Isn't that sweet?

 

 Yesterday was quilting/binding/labeling day.

 I used my go-to loopy quilting pattern.  It took a little over an hour and 3 bobbins to quilt the whole thing.  It's so crinkly and snuggly after washing!

Focus fabric: Riley Blake, Happier by Deena Rutter

5" charms from stash and 4x5 fabric swap

 34" x 51"

 Two years ago, I made a quilt for Cora's big brother, Jude.  It was fun to go back and see how much my own "little" boy has grown in two years!  He's away at camp this week, or I would have had him hold up this new quilt for me.  He's still pretty goofy!

WIP Wednesday

 I think my quilting mojo has returned!

Before breakfast, I played with the Polaroid blocks that I kept for myself.  I trimmed my blocks down and framed them in Kona medium gray.  I really like them tipsy!

I shipped off 35 blocks yesterday to swap.  I think you can still get in on the fun!  Click the button to jump to the flickr group.

I finished a baby quilt today!  I'll do the full reveal tomorrow.

Now it's time to get back to the top priority: my nephew's wedding quilt!

But right now, head over to see what everyone else is up to!

Summer Stitching

 I've been doing some fun, summer stitching, because nothing should be too complicated during summer.

I received the first round blocks of Crafty Blackbird's Siggy Block Swap.  It's really a great selection of fabrics from quilters around the US and a few other countries.

The blocks are pieced for the next round, and I just need to get them signed and mailed off.

My friend Debbie started a Polaroid Block Swap last week.  How fun are these tiny blocks?  I'm keeping 8  blocks for myself and mailing out 25 to swap.  Sorry, kids, the toaster is mine!

It's not too late to participate! Click on the button and join the group!

My husband has a coworker whose wife just had their second baby this week.  I bought this adorable Riley Blake print called Happier, then pulled a lot of the scrappy charms from a swap the 4x5 group did a few months ago.  See?  Swaps do pay off!

 The layers are pinned and the binding is ready.  I hope to get quilting done this afternoon.  Finishing the quilt after the baby is born means I can include her name on the label!  That was my plan all along.  (Here's her big brother's quilt from 2 years ago.)

Everyone seems to be struggling with the heat this summer.  I am managing by sewing in my bedroom!  We only have two window air conditioners in the house, so I've parked myself in front of this one.  The cutting board is on my dresser, I lowered the ironing board so I can sit in my little rocker, and the curtains function as a design wall.  Lots of natural light, the TV, a steady flow of iced tea and I'm good to go!

I need to run Pete to Jazz Camp, then I'm planning to visit Julia at work.  She is a counselor at the Girl Scout camp she attended for 8 years.  She is excited to introduce me to her campers by my camp name, "Stitches."  Her name is "Buglez."  She's working with an energetic group of 5-6 year old girls.  Better her than me!

Early Summer Recap

 It's been a busy summer so far, but things are settling down now.  I've made it back to my sewing machine to meet a few deadlines.  I'll show you what I'm working on in the next post.  But first, the recap...

Julia graduated from high school and she is so ready for college!

A jazz trio that Pete plays with entertained during the graduation reception.

 We had a fun party with lots of family, friends and food!

The blue dessert buffet was my favorite!  Cup cakes and candy and cake pops, oh my!  Julia did not want a bakery cake for fear of a Cake Wreck.

I wanted lots of floral arrangements for all the tables and my friends came through with more than enough flowers to go around!  The hydrangeas are spectacular this year!

This week, we had the opportunity to watch the Tall Ships parade from the lawn of the Naval War College in Newport. 

 

An actual quilting post coming soon!