This week I thought I would conquer something easy– little did I know {or remember} that even thought it is small, doesn't mean it is quick and easy!!!

I mean I do love this pattern……so sweet and tiny~

It does take a bit of time to turn it right sides out and to fussy with the legs~ and don't even get me started with stuffing the little guy!!  I left the hole a bit small and so that was the first issue.  Then I ended up using pinchers to grab the stuffing with and guide that into place and let go of the stuffing.

Now, don't go all haywire on me when I tell you that I put an extra bit of something inside…catnip.  Yup.  I did it.  It is going into the christmas stocking for the cat.  Do you hate me?  I mean, really it is the perfect size if you think about it. And, it's a dog.  If it wasn't around the time of christmas gift gathering I am sure that I would make one as a necklace– i just might in fact for the 7 year old tomorrow!!

So, overall the pattern- great!  I did the stitching by machine {it says to hand stitch} and it still worked like a charm.  The pieces are a bit tricky to turn, but really what isn't?  It is totally loveable and giveable to anyone of the age below 10….. be aware that they might spread the word and after fussing with 1 you might find yourself with a whole litter of dogs!! hee hee

Have you made something with the book?  Let us know what and how it went…..

and a quick visit from the camera thief– again, not hiding oneself~

pst— Next week I will be sharing a new pattern!! oh, yea. The Grundles…….and how about a little swappy with them?  Check back in on Monday for the goods.

Don't you girls just love this book?  It is really been quite fun to look at and to make a few things out of.  I totally recommend you giving it a try.  Good stuff is packed into there.

I didn't have any time to make something from the book and so it is a slacker week! my  bad……

So, I thought that I would share some links and photos of some totally cute projects made from the book…..+ a  little peek inside.

 

True Up has a great review….

Terri's Notebook has a great preview of the pages…..

I am switching up the Focus Fridays a bit.  Want to know what will be changing? 

1st} Well— I would like it a bit more interactive for everyone reading.  So you will find a little link in widget at the end of each post.  If you have made something using the focus friday share it with the rest of us! 

-You know how it works. Write a post with photos.  Link it to this and voila… girls will go and check it out.   What do you think? Good? 

Just a heads up~ Next week is November {i know. shouldn't have said anything}  The Focus Friday will be the new Wee Wonderfuls Book!! Totally excited. So go buy it– make something up and share the link— next week.

Monday– big news here!! I am making a few changes to the group…..stop on by for the info…..I'll send it in a newsletter too— so you don't miss it!

WINNER OF THE MAKE IT YOURSELF GIVEAWAY~~~

#6 BAUKJE!!!

  Check out her favorite list:

    I have several. I love the KIm Hargreaves knitting books, her patterns are so clever and the models very elegant.
For my bags I use often Japanese bagbooks, they are very inspirated. 

  This week we you get a special treat via— Portobellopixie —  

Because it is her book and she launched it on her site— She has a FREE DOWNLOAD!!! weeee don't you just love that?  I do have to say that I will not be making this myself– it has nothing to do with the pattern or the layout or whatever reason……my body doesn't like that style of skirts.  I am not the skinniest or the heaviest person on the earth, but I do have a shape that when I wear something like this– it is ooooo soooo unflattering. Not good at all. So, I challenge you to make it…..and wear it all cute like because I can't.

 I took this from her site~ 

How about a freebie from the book?  The Saturday Market Skirt.  The timing for the project to be making it's way out into the world as a sampler for the book is amusing to me.  I designed it almost a year ago, when we were still living in Idaho.  I sat there thinking of summer Saturday's in Missoula and how much I loved them.  The entire day-going to the farmers market, then walking around downtown.  Maybe over to river for a picnic.  Just lovely Saturdays, spent with friends and family.

I worked on it outside, enjoying the rays of sun on my feet, remembering those good times.

And here we are, I am finally getting to share the project with you and we are here, in Missoula again.  I had no idea that by the time the book would be published we would be living in Montana again.  And as I sit here writing this, the skirt is hanging in my closet and I am glancing out the window at the grass that is sneakily starting to turn green.  Spring and summer are on their way, and I can spend my Saturday's in the town that inspired the skirt.  How do you spend your Saturday's where you live?  I hope you have happy traditions, maybe one that would require a fun, eclectic patchy skirt?

So enjoy girls— clickety click here for her site and download that pattern!  {scroll down – it is on the right sidebar under free patterns}

pst— so far I am the only one who has posted a photo of the center block for the round robin! I am going to win the 3 patterns all by myself on monday if someone doesn't start sharing!  Clickety Click here for the post and pattern.  Clickety Click here to share your center block!

pst-pst– Shop SALE All downloadable patterns are $3 

Monday is the new border!!!   October 25— Joan– Cali Quilter Can't Wait!!!

Today– I am mixing it us a bit.  I am adding a giveaway to the post!  But first the review~

This little quilt has sooo much potential.  But, for an impatient sewer as myself~ I am not sure I am made for this.

My circles were not the best and I did machine stitching around the edges of them instead of hand…..

but i did add the embroidery stitches {using my lovely fuzzy thread} around the outside. Love that.

Overall— the technique for the circles was a new one.  I have never used tin foil while ironing…. if I was a more patient sewer I am sure it would have worked better. but, you know. whatever.   Eliza has claimed it as hers though and really likes it. 

I used a mix of vintage pillow case {perfectly get 2 tops out of it} with new cotton.  And, guess what– the mega spools of ruffle came in handy!   I am not sure that I would tackle this if I was a beginner sewer…this one is a bit more of an intermediate sewer.

I had such good intentions with this one girls— i wanted to make 2 and then do a giveaway…but alas.  When it came time to doing all of those circles I got a bit flustered and decided that the giveaway is a

'Make it Yourself'  Giveaway!!!

Leave a comment and I'll put your name in

so you can make it yourself!!!  ~~

Answer this ?  What is your Favorite Crafty Book Right Now?!

~winner announced next focus friday~

All the goods are included to make your own little cirlce quilt.

The top, the back, the circle fabrics, the ruffle and the fuzzy thread  {USA only please}

Just thought I'd throw in a little sneaker~ 

New pattern coming next week~~ can you guess what they are?

This week I decided to go for the felt flowers….. I am fully aware that the pattern and photo show all the flowers on a shirt, but hey.  I just have to work with what I have.  Jerika went iceskating the other day and noticed that the only winter hat she currently has is her barbie one.  Oh, what that does for a 13 year old girl!!

So, the flowers came right in time and worked out pretty good for this little project.  If you have anything that needs a bit of covering up, then this pattern is it!! Hey, maybe she had a little stain on her shirt and fooled around until she came up with this handy way of covering it up.  Brilliant.

Why hello barbie–

See how lovely that works?

I did pull the thread a bit tight to make the flowers pucker just a bit. That looked better than flat. 

The pattern has 2 sizes which is fun to mess around with.

Truly was a  15 minute project. That I love.  If you were loading up a shirt though it would take longer.

Just be aware of that, and the fact that the flowers are a bit addicting!  I could cut forever!

There are a few weeks left of Focus Fridays with Sewing Bits and Pieces.

If you have the book and would like to be a guest reviewer—Contact Me

I would love some other opinions.

PST– don't forget— there are still a few spots left to be a designer for the Round Robin.  Let me know if you want to be one.

PST PST—  Vote on the right side bar what style/theme for the Round Robin.  I need to get working on that center block…of course after I come home from my retreat. weeeee

To start us off with the new book we have a guest reviewer:

Kirsten from Three Dancing Magpies.

Let's jump in shall we?–

It is a wonderful book and I am excited to try tons of the projects! Since it is kids sewing week, I wanted to participate in the kids clothes week challenge and knew for this skirt project I needed to get a jump start. I chose the Brick Road Skirt pattern and must say I love the results!

I have never used a ruffler before— has anyone out there?

Thanks Kirsten for stepping in and doing the review— Isn't her little one totally cute?  And the skirt— L O V E IT!!!!!!  Is it always fluffy like that too? Even when standing?  Totally Wonderful……maybe the 7 year old would like that one.

What is Kirsten up to now?

She is a big swapper!! Check out what she sent– wouldn't you love to be her partner? oh, yea.

Thanks Kirsten—  If you would like to be a review for the new book contact patchwork posse—- I'd love to share off your talent while making my life not so crazy trying to keep up with it all.  Ok. it's more for the personal greediness of time to sew on my own stuff…. not that i don't like doing the focus fridays- i love them! if i keep going it will get worse….  contact me!!!

pst—  I still need a bunch of help on this one— come on!!! 

Be a Designer!!!

Every Other Monday from

October 11th- January 24th

Contact Me

Last week!!!  Thanks for sending me the patterns and for you trusting me with your 'babies'

This week I didn't have a pattern to share from anyone— {that's right, you should have sent an email and been the focus of the friday post}

So…..I decided to share some of my favorite patterns that I have tried in the past by random bloggers out there.

Betsy Bunny

by Prims by Kim

She is sitting in my kitchen…love her. Got her actually from a swap.

But found her and printed the pattern. Love it! Need to totally make some for myself.

Clickety Click here for her Pattern.  {pattern is a free one}

You will have to scroll down just a bit to find the tutorial.  {the headline won't link?}

The Adventures of BlueGirl XO –free pattern

I am in love with the simplicity.

Gracie

by Emma's Bears

She is delightful and if I was into making bears…I would make her!

Clickety click here for her pattern. {free}

Little Cupcake Cuttie

by Oh Sew Dollin

She is totally cute. I have made 4 for swaps and such. Love how she turns out wonderful each time.

Clickety Click here for her pattern {she is $7.50}

 New Jelly Roll Sampler coming up on Moose on the Porch Quilts!!!

Moda Bake Shop always has lovely quilt tutorials/patterns.

Anyone else?  Any other great patterns out there that I missed? {i am sure there are a few} 

Make a comment and let us in on it— so we can all make it for ourselves…

I have a super wonderful announcement on Monday……… it has something to do with this….. Can't wait to share it!!!! weeee……

The poll has been up for a bit and since next week we will be starting October— I mean hello– when did that happen?   But I guess we have no choice but to follow the calender and move onto the next month.

So, the winner of the poll {thank you +40 people who voted} is—

Sewing Bits and Pieces by Sandi Henderson

I sooooo love this book and I am totally excited about doing great projects from it!! yay!!!  I eyed it in the quilt store the other day—- and thought before i buy it i must let you vote. Sooo glad you came up with the right choice! hee hee

If you would like to be a reviewer please contact me—- I'd love the extra insight and help!

And just because I am updating you on Focus Friday I might as well give you a heads up on October's Designer for the patchworkposse online sewing group.

Cheryl Brown from Quilter Chic

   

See you all friday {of course there will be posts in between}……

Contact Me with your Pattern & Get it Reviewed {next week}

So this week we have a great pattern by Quilting Melodies…..known by me as Angie O. and known to you as the Chocolate Quilt Pattern lady!!! yay!!   The pattern I am reviewing is her—-

"Dreaming of Oz" 

 I love this quilt!! I love every quilt Angie designs— even if there are only 2!

This is a great pattern for beginners.  There are no tricky blocks to be found. Just nice and simple ones.  Blocks that piece quickly.  Plus, there is a nice variety of things too— a little bit of applique.  A little bit of stitchery.  A little bit of piecing. It definitly isn't big enough to make you bored by the end and there is enough variety to keep you interested. 

Here is mine— missing a few borders…they are coming!

Her pattern is done with some great graphics to help you along visually, which you know I am a big fan of.  Love those graphics! 

She shows you how to do the 'quick' technique for the pinwheels….and I am sooo sorry, but I hate the baskets!!! Remember these? I have decided that baskets and I just don't mix.  We are not friends— and I am planning on keeping it that way.  Every basket I make is totally 'primitive' lets call it.  hee hee   ok. why am i laughing here. it is becoming sooo obnoxious! ugh.

And…..I have not ever been a fan of needle turning {in fact I am working on my memory tree for the group– and it is such a pain in my rear!!!!  I'll just say it's a good thing that has a primitive/vintage look to it too– cuase I'm giving it the royal treatment.}  and I just used zig-zag on the outside edge of my applique pieces.  I matched the thread with the fabric. I like that look better than a black thread on everything.   This lets me get applique done lickety-split and I am totally all for that.

See my cute pin-dot background fabric.  I picked it up at a yard sale a few weeks ago…..i kind of like that for backgrounds.  Not enough color to be crazy with, but not plain jane either.

Do you like doing embroidery on your quilts? Do you like a mixture of techniques?

Who is this Angie of Quilting Melodies?

What is Angie up to lately?

More Chocolate Bliss Quilts~

She also has an Etsy Shop……cute stuff there!

   

Four Wise Monkeys let me check out the new pattern:

Three Wishes Gift Bags

{$4.00 pdf pattern}

  

for the month of September—- Contact Me with your Pattern & Get it Reviewed?

First up we have Connie. 

Miss Connie and I have been chatting for a few months — really since these posts {i think}. 

Sketching and ideas for patterns  Templates & Measurements  Sewing Steps & Instructions  How to Price your Patterns

She had some questions on programs and such…..we got chatting, and good stuff….

Anywhosies– she decided to trust me with her first pattern!!! yay connie! congrats!  So, that is the pattern I will be reviewing today.

GADGET BAG PATTERN

by Cottage Rose Designs

For her first pattern, Connie knows what she is doing!  She has picked a great layout with wonderful photos to help along the way.  {love that don't you?}  Totally tutorial style for those visual learners.  Nothing like having that picture staring at you along with those words to help you.

I think what I like the best is the hook clasp at the end of the strap.  You can attach this little guy where ever you want! It is the perfect size for keeping change, your camara, phone, credit cards…whatever you think of inside. 

{don't look at the crafty floor}

you did didn't you?

digress: I was thinking that I might make a few more for the kids— you know. We go to yard sales and they love to shop!  They are always lugging around their wallets– and you know them…set it and forget it.  This might cure that. Clip it and forget it! hee hee

back on track:

The zipper top is great too.  I hate nothing more than to lean over and have all the goodies dumped out.

I paused and had to re-read the instructions on the zipper a couple of times….but that is because I haven't sewn with a zipper for a bit and needed to refresh my memory. 

The bag is lined and there is batting to keep it's shape and protect whatever is inside.

Over-all this is a great pattern.  A pattern for beginners and beyond.  If you are in the market for this style of bag— totally get it. Worth it!!!

Adjustments/changes I made:

I used oil cloth on the darker one!! I know, I totally love it too— and for the duck one, that is designer weight. Both worked great!

I used these clips— wrong size and won't snap onto the zipper but I clasp it on the strap after sending it through the belt loop so no biggie. Plus, this is all i found at joanne's.

Quick info about Connie~~

http://www.cottagerosedesigns.com/

Thanks Connie for letting me share in your new pattern experience!! 

Contact Me with your Pattern

& Get it Reviewed this month!!!

I think what I might do is the 1st place winner will be next up with the 2nd placer the next, next up. That might help everyone keep ahead and find the books….and me to get reviewers too. phew.   What do you think? Will that help?

What is happening this month with focus friday?  Let me tell you— It is going to be

Let's Review Yours month!!!!

to get your new/old or whatever pattern reviewed– contact me. 

This is what I will need:

• name
• blog or shop address
• pattern in pdf form
• email so I can contact you
• patterns need to be finished and ready for review.  Nothing half done girls. ok?  Don't make me guess the steps. hee hee

Not to be too picky or bossy {I am the possy boss}…..but quilts take a long time. So if you have a large one I can't do it. 

Please keep it to table topper, table runner, stuffed something, bag, pincushion……get the idea? 

The next few fridays I have a few patterns that others have sent on over to get reviewed— new patterns!!!  They are Totally cute.   Can't wait to share.

I'd love to help get the word out about your pattern and shop and even blog— so send it on over.  I can't wait to see what you girls have– and share it! {the review, not a copy of the pattern}.  There is sooo much talent out there! share it with us!

I am thinking I will tie in a few giveaways too—- the items I make….how about that?  Sound even better? 

Send me that Pattern!!!

This week we have a special reviewer guest— Jo from Bearpaw Blog!!!   I love it when others want to share their knowledge and talents with us. Don't you?   {If you ever want to be a reviewer you just need to contact me….easy as that!}

Here is a bit about Jo before she starts:

About Me

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Hi! I'm Jo Avery, I live in Edinburgh and, along with my husband, run Jonathan Avery Homestore. My 2 lovely sons are all grown up now which means I have more spare time for making patchwork quilts, crocheting and generally mucking around in my sewing room while singing along to the radio!

So here goes Jo's review:

Hi! I'm Jo from Bearpaw blog and I am delighted to be taking part in Focus Friday!  Becky asked me to review some of the patterns I had made from the wonderful Last Minute  Patchwork and Quilting Gifts book and I was very happy to oblige. I have just moved house though  and of course this book just had to be in the last packing box I opened!  I love this book and bought it after I saw it in the window of Purl Soho during our 'trip of a lifetime'

to New York last November. I didn't buy it at the time, as I was worried about exceeding my  luggage weight from all the fabric I was buying! So I ordered it from Amazon when I got back  home to Scotland, and set to work as I still had a few weeks left to make some handmade Christmas  presents.

I have been sewing since I was 6 years old and spent a lot of my childhood making soft toys, so as  soon as I saw 'Peanut, the Wee Elephant' I just knew I had to make him. In fact I made 2!

I really enjoyed making these elephants and found the patterns were pretty accurate. I know this pattern has been covered in a previous week so I will just tell you about the few 'improvements'  (IMHO!) I made to the project: I used quite a few different fabrics for the different pattern prices rather than just the ear lining, after all these are 'patchwork' gifts! I changed the felt eye to a button  and crocheted a little blanket for the back (and added a wee tassel!), mainly because I like to use as many different textiles as I can and because I thought the elephant would be snugglier with a crocheted blanket. My elephants were given to 2 sweet little baby boys called Ewan and Oscar

Quick link to her post about the elephants– just in case you would like to read it

It is hard to come up with a new idea for a sewing project but I probably would have bought the book for the Coloured Pencil Roll alone as it is such a good idea and so easily adapted. I made 2 versions of it for Christmas presents, one for pencils for my niece, Ana, and one for crochet hooks  for my sister, Jane. I think this is one of the best ideas in the book.

Again I found the instructions very easy to follow. My only criticism would be of the dimensions  given, '1 and 5/8 inch' seems an incredibly clunky size for a strip width, couldn't it have been '1 and  a half'? Of course, it would have been so much easier in centimetres…

It was great fun choosing the rainbow of fabric to match the pencils and I didn't really need to make any improvements to the design this time as it is such a perfect little project.

here is a link to the photos of the crochet hook version

For the crochet hook version, I made the roll with just 14 sections, but still gave the fabrics a rainbow 'bleed'. My sister taught me to crochet when I was a child (and as I am a bit thick, she taught me again and again until I eventually 'got it' a few years ago!), now I am a total crochet addict! I really should make one of these for myself! You can read a bit more about how I made the crochet roll on this blog post here (http://bearpawandbearpaw.blogspot.com/2009/12/handmadechristmas- part-2.html).

You can also make a roll for your knitting needles and I would love to think of another use for them as they do make such a lovely present. Have any of you adapted this roll for any other purpose? I'd love to hear about it!

Christmas will be here before we know it so it's a good time to get this book out again and pick some projects for this coming year. I really fancy trying the Scrap Books and the Bird Ornaments. Some of the projects are very simple and would be good for building the confidence of a quilting beginner, but there is plenty for the more experienced quilter, such as the Colour-Wheel Quilt (which I saw hanging behind the counter in the Purl Soho shop!!) and the Puzzle Ball.

There is also a fantastic reference section at the back with lots of personal recommendations from the author for her favourite haberdashery products. AND you get a big fold out sheet with all the patterns on! All in all I would heartily recommend this book.

What has Jo been up to lately?

 Great review wasn't it?  Thanks Jo!! 

 Check out her blog here  Bearpaw blog   *** I am working on the focus friday poll for next month…….I know, a little late- but you know. ***