Pinwheel Wall Hanging

Pinwheel Wall Hanging

In the past few months, I have really, REALLY gotten back into sewing. I mean REALLY!  So much so that I purchased a new sewing machine and a serger and I totally revamped my craft space.  I am having so much fun!  The short version of the long story is that a good friend, Kerri (we've known each other since 4th grade), sent me some amazing fabric to make her some dog bone shaped pillows. The fabric was amazing and there were lots of leftovers. I was determined to make her some nice knitting project bags but I had to make some practice bags first.  

It is absolutely amazing how many craft tutorial videos you can find on the Internet!  I have found a few ladies who were making various pouches and bags (some with zippers and some without) and I just kept building my skills as I worked my way through the various patterns I liked.

Here are my favorite bloggers/YouTube video channels:

Whitney Sews

Confessions of a Home Schooler

Charmed by Ashley

Whitney from Whitney Sews is having a quilt sampler sew along and I decided to take the plunge and buy the required fabric amounts to make the sampler. She has already put out 9 of 12 videos for the quilt and I am anxiously awaiting the next three blocks.  My excitement about quilting got me looking at other designs. I really like the look of pinwheels. I made a few that had some problem spots.  I kept looking at a variety of internet videos and I found one video that helped me make some great looking pinwheels without a big bulky spot in the center.  I made up these four pinwheels and was so proud. I added some sashing between the pinwheels and added batting, backing, and a binding.  I love how it turned out; it's hanging on the wall in my newly organized/rearranged craft room.  Soon I'll show you my quilt blocks for my quilt sampler sew along.  I love that I am learning new skills with each and every block. I am addicted!

Loquita

LOQUITA

In a few other posts, I mention how I purchased a series of kits for knitting projects and I receive one kit every other month for one year. The designer is Laura Nelkin. This is the latest project and the pattern name is "Loquita".  The kit came with yarn, two kinds of beads, a two-part metal clasp (for the back of the neck), and a dental flosser for stringing beads.  This project is less than a dozen rows so it knits up rather quickly.  The new technique I learned with the project was a long tail cast on where beads are inserted in the cast on edge.  Very cool!

I have been a crafting maniac for the past few months but have not taken the time to post much lately.  I'll try to post a few things in the next few days.