WIP Wednesday

For over 2 weeks I had been battling a return of a fatigue virus that laid me low. It took away my energy and my motivation. However a week ago I heard about the birth of Susu, the daughter of our Japanese host son Sho who lived with our family in 2004. I want to make her a quilt but before I could work on a new quilt I really wanted to get a couple of other projects out of the way. So - I pushed myself to get 2 quilts that were pinned and ready to go finished. (Twinkle and My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes). 

I don't think the news made me get better on its own but it coincided with improved stamina and I have been working steadily every since and feeling better as well. It is great to have energy and enthusiasm again. 

So I have been busy this week. Once I got 2 quilts the two quilts finished off (which I have blogged about here and here) I had a look at the next baby quilt I have to finish (Its for my niece's baby due by the end of the year) I have had the top completed for a little while and earlier this week I  cut the backing for it. I am still deciding whether to pin it and quilt it at home or book the club long arm and do it up there. 

I've been prepping some projects ready for our trip away. We will be away for 4-5 weeks so I want a few things to keep me going. I am keen to get some things made for our Handmade With Love stall at the Christmas Craft Fair in November. I want to make things out of the various licensed fabrics I have bought on line and from Make It Hobby and Craft, a shop near my daughter's that specialises in licensed fabric. 

I have various Pokemon fabrics, as well as Betty Boop, My Little Pony and other fabrics. I have decided to make a range of home decor items as well as some zipper pouches etc. I am looking at making some hanging towels, pot mitts, plastic bag holder as well as perhaps some ear bud pouches and coin purses. Not sure exactly what I will get out of the fabrics but am keen to have a go. Lots of young adults are keen on these things - its not just kids so I feel that these items will be popular (and if they don't sell I will have a house full of people who will love them - all my kids are geeks!)

So far I have cut out some hanging towel tops as well as the Easy Cosmetics Bag from So Sew Easy. Still working on cutting out more. I sewed one together at home and then at HWL on Tuesday I cut out another and sewed it. It ended up a little "daggy" at the zipper ends as I tried to include some tabs. I'll need to work on it a bit longer.

I have also made a little progress with my Twilter Birds in the Air Quilt. I added a plain 6" finished border all around using some beaut leafy patterned fabric which was in keeping with the theme of the quilt. The fabric is"Prospect Park" by Kitty Yoshida for Benartex

However it was too wide and heavy for the centre so (at the suggestion of Lindi) I cut the border in half, added a 1" finished white strip and then the leaf border on the outside. In the corners I added fussy cut birds from the fabric I have for the backing. I love how they have turned out. 

The fabric is Contempos "Soul Blossoms" by Cherry Guidry for Cherry blossoms Quilting Studio for Benartex.


I have decided that I will use lime green for the binding. I am thrilled with how it has turned out. 

I will be quilting this on the club long arm on Friday. Lorraine, our acting club secretary is going to come up and help me load the quilt. If I get it done and either Lorraine can come back and help me load it or I feel confident enough to do it myself I will also work on the Jenni's baby's quilt which I have decided to call Bessie's Star.

I had hoped to make a little progress on my Repeat wall hanging at Patchwork this morning. However I forgot to take my 'add a quarter inch ruler" and decided after sewing a couple of pieces together it was too tricky so gave up.

So that is what I've been working on this week. How about you - what have you accomplished this week?