KENDRA'S KINDLE CASE

I was going to call it Kendra's Kindle Kase, but then I realized the initials were rather offensive, though Kendra is decidedly not.  Nevermind.

I have cobbled my pattern together from a bunch of different sources.  The main one is John's iPad Sleeve at the Moda Bake Shop.  I am doing things a bit differently, however, and using 10-inch squares from my stash of Swiss Chocolate by Amanda Murphy, won on Cluck. Cluck. Sew.  Like me, Kendra loves pink, so I thought this would be perfect, especially since it's totally hot cocoa season in the Northwest.

Fun little projects like this are why I love having Regina Bernina.  She's so creative and smart.  I alternated between stitch No. 60, length at two; and my running stitch, or stitch No. 4, length at three.  Worked out perfectly when done in dark brown Mettler cotton.

And here's what it looks like from the right side.

The second side is a darker pattern with the same sort of gorgeous flower designs.  The stitching will fade into the background on that side, but it'll still look lovely.  I'll post again with more details!

I {HEART} THE 80s SWAP

It has been a long time since I posted.  Holy crap!  Recovering from gall bladder surgery was a bit more taxing than I thought it would be, at least on my sewing.

On top of that, my godfather died recently, and I got behind on the I {Heart} the 80s swap I signed up for.  But here are pictures of the Rainbow-Brite-inspired sewing machine cover I made for my partner.  I hope she likes it!

I used a Moda Marbles tropical layer cake to make the striped sides and top.  It was really fun to put this together.

This shot shows the color change best.  The sides of the cover are made from an ombre fabric that went from palest yellow to nearly red.  I used the pale yellow part to line the top/bottom of the cover.  It's also lined it white and can be reversed.

I think this is my favorite part, though.  It's been hard for me to keep my decorative stitches straight on my new machine.  Obviously it's a matter of practice.  This multi-colored little rainbow turned out really well!  I'm quite proud of it.  It goes all the way around the bottom and also shows up nice on the underside of the cover.

MUG RUG SWAP ADVENTURE FINISHED!

I joined the Mug Rug Swap Adventure a while back, then got very sick with gall stones.  I didn't sew for months!  Which is obvious if you read my blog -- no posts for a LONG time.

My partner in the swap doesn't like colors that are common in my stash, so I searched for quite a bit before finally finding something I liked that I thought she would.  Apparently, I made a bit of a boo-boo.  She said no black, brown or purple.  I didn't take my list with me, and thought it was no black, brown, or pink.  So there's some purple in it.  Thankfully, she indicated on Flickr that she liked the fabrics, so hopefully she won't hold it against me!

Above is the front.  I wanted something simple so I could show off the fabric.  It's Tina Givens' Haven's Edge.  I sent scraps to my partner and kept some for myself.  Lovely!

Above is my version of a label.  I'm not big into the fabric labels with all that info on them.  I want to see the fabric.  All of it!

My favorite square!  The birdies!  It was accidental, though I was trying to make it happen.  Just didn't have to try too hard!  Whew.

And the backing.  I LOVE this fabric.  It's gorgeous!

MY GALL BLADDER HATES ME

And that is why I haven't sewn or posted in forever!  I have been sick, on and off, for months.  I finally know why -- I have a giant gall stone!  Fun times.

Surgery takes place on June 15.  So sorry I haven't been talkative.  I do have some projects I have to finish -- like a mug rug for my partner in the Mug Rug Swap Adventure 2!  Coolness!  Anyway, keep your fingers crossed that I make it through the next two weeks!

TUMMY TIME IN CENTRAL PARK

At least, I hope that's what will happen with this blankie.  I made my second and probably last Ribbon Blankie for my friend Deana and her soon-to-be-born son, Eli.  Her baby shower was yesterday, and she absolutely loved the blankie.

It turned out really cute, but I have to say that although the minky on the back is cute and soft and fluffy, I really don't ever want to work with it ever again.  It stretches way too much for my patience, which I must say is lacking.

I said on Piece N Quilt the other day that even though it was a pain, I didn't mind working with it because of the result.  I take it back!

I used a multi-shade teal thread for the top-stitching and a loop-de-loop stitch.  I will definitely use both the thread and the stitch again.  Forgive the pictures -- it's a bit fuzzy!

RETRO MAMA'S EASTER EGGS

I have a rather retro momma, and I love Retro Mama's patterns as well.  I think the two go together!  Last night, the bus I ride broke down on the way home, so I didn't get anything sewn.  However, I did cut out enough fabric for these adorable Easter eggs from Retro Mama.

Not much left to work with after the cutting, but at least I got rid of some scraps!  Aren't the colors fun?  All kinds of yellow, blue, green, and brown dots!  Perfect for Spring/Easter, and even into the summer.  I cut enough to make eight eggs of four different colors.  I'm going to sift through my scrap tub tonight to see if I have enough to make a full dozen, because that would be perfect!

Now if only I hadn't thrown away that old egg carton . . .

BEING SICK REALLY CRAMPS MY SEWING STYLE

I have spent the better part of the last month and a half ill.  First with bronchitis.  Then I got a Migraine in the middle of last week.  And then last Friday, I got food poisoning so bad that . . . well, bad.  You don't need details.

What that has meant is that I've gotten very little sewing done since the beginning of March.  And frankly, I'm rather irritated.  I am two blocks behind on the Patchwork Squared Quilt Along, since I spent the entire weekend in bed.  And I never got any of these cute little things sewn, which I wanted to do before Easter.  Tonight is trash night -- as in make sure I've gathered it all for pick up tomorrow -- and once I'm done with that, I'm going to make some Easter eggs.  Patchworky ones that are kind of random.  As random as the Type A part of my personality will allow.  Wish me luck!

P2 MODERN SOLIDS QUILT ALONG WEEK 2 BLOCK

I have finished my first block for the P2 Modern Solids Quilt Along.  It's a Dutchman's Puzzle!  See the page for a pic!

P2 QUILT ALONG WEEKS 1 AND 2

Please visit my P2 Quilt Along page for an update!  Thanks!

THE SOLIDS HAVE LANDED

Check out the P2 page for a picture of the Moda Bella Solids that I bought for the quilt along!  They are gorgeous, and while I've never worked with solids before, I can't wait!  Woo-hoo!

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