Wednesday, September 10, 2014

See You in September Blog Hop

My summer was mostly spent making memories with the family and playing in the lakes and waterfalls of South Carolina. We took several weekend trips and had one full week of camping fun.


As far as making things at the sewing machine, I spent a lot of time finishing up some UFO's, which I have been blogging about throughout the summer. I am always trying to whittle down my UFO pile but I always like to start new projects - probably why the UFO pile never gets smaller. Luckily this hop gave me incentive to start and FINISH three new projects this summer.


First on the list, I made another Ruffle tote with pockets.  The first one was made in March for the Ruffles blog hop and I made it to carry my drawing pad. When my Mom saw it, she told me if it was just a couple inches bigger it would be the perfect bag to carry her iPad around.
So I made another one this summer and made it a couple inches bigger just for her.
I also took some pictures as I made it and turned it into a pattern. It is my first attempt at making a pattern so I am offering it for free at Craftsy just for this blog hop. You can click the link at the top right on the blog or click here to go to Craftsy to get the pattern.


The bottom.


Here are both totes together.
You can see the new one is slightly taller, it is also an inch wider,
Perfect for iPads or any other tech pad.


For my next project I started out with this pile of lovelies.
This was my first time working with Riley Blake Gingham and I must say it is wonderful fabric to work with.  In the past I would avoid gingham in my projects because every other gingham I came across was flimsy, very light weight, and would cut all wonky.  Riley Blake is just the opposite.  It is soft and thick and wonderful to work with.  I will definitely be using Riley Blake's gingham the next time I need more for a project.


I turned some of that yummy goodness above into the quilt below.

I first saw this quilt block on Geta's blog. She calls it a modern dresden, but I like to call it Wagon Wheels or Steering Wheels because that is what I think of when I look at it. I've seen others call it windmills, dresden fans, and sunburst.  No matter the name, I love the block and when I first saw it, I put it on my quilt "to do" list.  It stayed there a long time though because I could never decide which fabrics to use.  During the summer I found out that gingham makes a wonderful Wagon Wheel quilt.  





When I was working on the layout of the blocks I split the quilt in two and put one of each color on the top and one on the bottom, but my son said if I move the red and yellow around every color would be opposite each other in the same way a knight moves on the chess board.  So I swapped the yellow and the red blocks and now each color can find its mate if it goes over two and down one or vise-verse.  I suppose I could also name the quilt "Knight's Movement".  So many names to choose from.


The quilt is 47 inches wide, just a few inches wider than most fabric, so I went for an easy pieced backing.


While cutting the strips for my Wagon Wheel quilt, each strip left me with two scrap dresden plates.  Just enough for one more mismatched block.  I decided to turn that into a pillow.  I finished it up with a band of dark blue gingham and stuffed it, leaving just enough room for it to squish up nice and soft when you hug it.



 My final project was a hedgehog coin purse.  When I first saw this on Craft Passion I knew I had to have one of my very own.  I think she turned out fantastic with her pink gingham quills.  

Thanks for stopping by to see my summer projects.
Be sure to check out the other hoppers today and see what they have been working on



To see the whole Schedule, wonderfully hosted by Shari and Mdm Samm, click here.


=^..^=




48 comments:

  1. Your Hedgehog purse is sew stink in' cute! Love your Wagon Wheel quilt and pillow. Thank you for sharing your Summer.

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  2. All your projects are so pretty. Really love the wagon wheel quilt. Just wonderful!

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  3. Leah, I just can't pick a favorite....I love all your projects ! the hedge hog is the cutest thing I've ever seen and your "Windmills" (I call it that....it's a Texas thang) is going to be on my to do list now. I have a passion for windmills. Pretty, pretty, I enjoyed your awesome showing of goodies !

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  4. Love your projects, especially the Wagon Wheel quilt! I would like to make one on my own some day.

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  5. So, in between the making of memories, you managed to make all that! Amazing. The bag is adorable, the quilt incredible, the pillow awesome and the coin purse...well it is just to darn cute. Love them all. Thank you for sharing!

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  6. Oh I just love that adorable hedgie! And your dresden quilt in gingham is absolutely fabulous...super cool pillow too! Love all your projects!

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  7. The ruffled IPad bag is really wonderful. What a stylish way to carry technology around! I love all your gingham projects too!

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  8. LOVE LOVE LOVE your Gingham project and pillow. What a wonder use of gingham.

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  9. what lovely quilting projects, ruffles, gingham , colour, ruffles, gingham, colour lol....allll so delightful and it sounds like your summer had you spinning ....

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  10. I love love love that quilt!!! the bags are adorable, and of course, the Tammy bag...LOL. It just put a big grin on my face

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  11. That quilt - oh my goodness it's beautiful! And the hedgehog purse.....well somebody's going to steal that from you it's so cute! What wonderful projects! blessings, marlene

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  12. What beautiful projects! That little hedgehog is adorable. Those wagon wheels are just right for the gingham! Great job.

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  13. Your ruffle bags are both so adorable! Your quilt is really beautiful!! What a perfect use for the gingham!!

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  14. Love the wagon wheel quilt! BUT the little hedgehog purse - too stinkin' cute!!

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  15. A wonderful hedgehog, so cuddly. The gingham works very well for the blades of your quilt and cushion.

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  16. Great summer projects! That quilt is stunning and the little hedgehog is precious.

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  17. What adorable projects! I love them all but for sure, the hedge hog is beyond cute!

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  18. I love your pillow! Thank you for sharing!
    ~Brandy

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  19. Fun what we see in quilts, I totally see windmills and I love them...great quilt!! And I also really love that hedgehog, how fun!!

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  20. The ruffled bag turned out lovely and your Wagon Wheel quilt is just beautiful. The pillow is a sweet bonus! My goodness, that little hedgehog purse is just the cutest thing!

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  21. Your quilt is amazing! So fresh and happy! And the hedgehog is absolutely darling!

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  22. Leah your Wagon Wheel Quilt is Beautiful, and the matching pillow...just love them!! The hedgehog..that has got to be the cutest!! I have a friend who battles hedge hogs in her Laurel Bush...I have got to make her a little change purse like yours! Thanks sew much for sharing with us!!
    Huggs, Nancy

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  23. OH FOR HEAVENS SAKE!!!! If that quilt wasn't just perfection enough...I scrolled down to see your new tammy coin purse. WHAT???? That is SO ADORABLE!!!!
    GREAT JOB on all of your summer projects! Love LOVE LOVE!

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  24. Your projects are so cute! But the hedge hog purse is just awesome. I love them all. Thank you for sharing.

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  25. Love your wagon wheels quilt!!! Perfect for gingham!!! Thank you for the pattern too!!!

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  26. Great projects. Love the quilt and pillow and the hedgehog purse is ridiculously cute.

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  27. The ruffled bag is lovely. The quilt and pillow is wonderful. The little purse is adorable. Thanks for sharing ... :) Pat

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  28. Fabulous projects ... your quilt and pillow are absolutely stunning. The hedgehog coin purse is too cute.

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  29. Yep, I have always avoided gingham for the same reason. But I am glad you mentioned the beauty of the RB gingham, and after seeing your wheels, I am in love with the fabric! The pillow is just the perfect accompaniment. GREAT JOB!

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  30. Your ruffled bags are so cute...but that quilt is absolutely beautiful! !

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  31. I know all the hard work in that beautiful quilt and pillow, but the hedgehog is just too cute.

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  32. Wow that gingham quilt and pillow is stunnig, very well done!
    Thanks for sharing.

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  33. OH WOW!!! That is a great gingham quilt with pillow you made, and the hedgehog coin purse was sooo cute.

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  34. You sure did get me with the last project; I'm still chuckling. She is just the cutest! Your gingham quilt is totally wonderful - I love this take on the dresden. You chose well on all counts. Whatever the name...it's a winner. (Secretly, I love the name "Knight's Movement".)

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  35. Gorgeous quilt! The colors and quilting made it perfect. The hedgehog is darling and the ruffled totes are just darling. Great projects. Have to go back and enjoy your post again. Thanks.

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  36. The quilt is BEAUTIFUL. I would love to have that adorable little hedgehog. Too stinking cute!!

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  37. The quilt is just over the top wonderful! Great job! I'd love to have one of those lovely ruffled bags and and iPad to go in it too! :) My granddaughter would love that hedgehog! It's just too cute.

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  38. Congratulations for winning today. Your quilt and pillow are spectacular.
    Love your little purse, but then I am partial to hedgehogs. So cute.

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  39. Once again, you picture your projects so beautifully. Every single summer project I would love to make. Your quilt and pillow are too cool. Love the hedgehog coin purse. THanks for the bag pattern. I will be checking that one out.

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  40. I love your quilt and recognized it as Geta's design right away. Love her designs and you rocked it! I will tell you, that hedgehog coin purse is fabulous. My printer is busy right this second printing the pattern! Too stinking cute!

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  41. Oh my goodness, what a great summer project time you had. I love your quilt and the little hedgehog coin purse! It's adorable!!!

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  42. I love your gingham quilt and pillow. The quilting on it is beautiful too. Your hedgehog coin purse is too cute!

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  43. Cute projects. Your little hedgehog purse is precious. Your dresden quilt reminds me of windmills. I love the way your son explained to place the different pieces!

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  44. Your projects are all wonderful bit the quilt and pillow are spectacular!

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  45. Leah, spectacular summer sewing projects!! Congratulations...your wagon wheels quilt is awesome!! The hedgehop purse is too cute as is the ruffled bag. Thanks for sharing your gingham goodness!! Happy stitching, Pauline

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  46. Hi Leah, great projects and you look like you had a great summer with the family. Hugs Susie x

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  47. Looks like a great summer, the hedgehog is adorable, love it.

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  48. What a busy summer for you, Leah! The Wagon Wheels quilt was well deserving of the recognition it received. I really love how the ruffled ipod bags turned out too. Well done!

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