WIP Wednesday : Sidetracked with Fabric Drool

It's going to be a tightly crammed weekend. I have a lot to finish up for my Q1 FAL list plus I am super honored to be featuring a tutorial for the Q1 Finish Along on the 1st of April! I'm going to keep the subject of said tutorial a secret for now just to lure you with temptation to come back.

 Tutorial work in progress:

I intended to make myself a new tote bag. Haven't made a bag for myself in a looooong time. And I picked out this Jay McCarroll (Center City/Downtown NY) fabric that I've been wanting and thought it'd be good for my new bag.

I also fell in love with a new quilt block, which I think was called 'Mountain Majesty'? Anyhoo, I've been seeing it pop up in other modern quilts, so I went for it.

I haven't decided how I'm going to layout the blocks, but while I was playing around, I made these and kinda felt like making them into a quilt. I should probably just buy more of the Jay McCarroll fabric so I don't have to choose between bag or quilt haha!

 I've made many different arrangements, yet I still haven't decided on which direction to take it. A true WIP!

Then Rachael @ Stitched In Color had to have another fabric mosaic contest (check it out, it's fun!)

and I spent my computer time making this! Not to mention her mosaic contests are sponsored by awesome fabric companies. This time it's Lark Cottons, which I adore! Go sift through their shop, amazing fabrics!

You can vote for my collection interpreting her theme of 'Ethereal' in pastels along with all the other entries on her blog.

Happy Fabric drooling!

In progress & getting it done!

Hello!!!
I've been busy in the studio!
And it feels sooooo good to be working on long over due projects (My FAL Quarter 1 list!!!)
Allow me to share!

First off.....my notebook open to the page for my Globetrotter BOM. I'm almost done piecing the center block, can't wait to share it! The colors I chose come together so well, I'm impressed with myself!

Second up in progress, my studio sign from my FAL Q1 list. I did some quilting in the background, outlined letters more and drew the grid for the rest of the background stitching. Can't decide if I want to stitch the rest by hand or not....hmmmmm.

And another off my FAL Q1 list....the "Night Garden" wall hanging. I added more "garden" to it last night while I watched Netflix, and I think I'm done with the piecing!! Which leaves the next step of quilting it up. The detail stitching will make it pop for sure!

Alright, that's all for now. Be back soon to share some FINISHES!

Linking up to Freshly Pieced! WIP Wednesdays!

Peaceful Weekend

I'm really happy I was able to relax and get to work on some things this weekend. I set up a little sewing corner in a friends downtown studio. I was quite enthralled in cutting up fabric and working on doll pattern tests.

I tried my hand at adding gussets to the doll pattern I had drafted years ago. It was tiny tiny work. And as much as I dislike using pins ( i stab myself too much!), this was the only way to do it. Slowest sewing I've done on the machine in such a long time.

I realized after an hour of tiny piecing that I probably should enlarge the pattern a bit and give myself a break. Duh! What's with me and teeny tiny project attempts. Especially later in the evening. Am I trying to drive myself batty or what? Needless to say, I did take a break from the doll project after successfully putting in a head gusset. And I jumped right into cutting more 5in squares because apparently I have half-square triangle patterns on the brain. 

I am really into rearranging them on my design wall. I like the fact that when I throw a bunch up there, I can move them around and around and have a different look each time I step back. Which is not helping me make any decisions mind you. But it's fun and quick! I admit, I do have some friends and relatives having babies in the near future, so technically I am doing something productive. I've been toying with the idea of making a Beginners Quilt Class as well, and these HST quilts are simple enough that I might make this the class project. Here's the latest one that I still have on the design wall.

Though I've already rearranged it twice, I'm still liking this first take. I think it may end up looking like this. A viewer says it looked "too sophisticated" to be a baby blanket and that it reminded him of old man socks. I agreed with the sock reference, but perhaps someone out there has a "sophisticated baby". Hahaha. It made me laugh. I love getting input. I've got green and orange squares cut up now for today's HST quilt project! I'm on a roll!

Also! I'm very excited to have come across another quilt-a-long with an AMAZING project! The Perv-Along, (love the name) hosted by Charlotte at Displacement Activity.

The quilt is going to be amazing!!! It reminds me of a cosmic burst. And of course, I'm kinda hooked on the solid fabric quilts. So here's what I pulled for this perv-a-long.

I feel a bit odd not having "brand name" fabrics with cool color names like "papaya" or "moss". I generally find most my fabrics at swap meets, thrift stores and yard sales. Very rarely do I buy new fabrics. I love all the new prints and collections and I'm sure I have a nice smattering of them in my stash. But I've a complete novice at being able to name the designers and such. When I do buy solids, they are just a store brand name and nothing that exciting. Oh well. I'll get there someday. Kona's solids look delicious!

 How was your weekend? Hope you make something awesome!

Pinterest Obsessive

As if I needed another internet distraction on top of the endless reading of quilting blogs, I too have become a Pinterest addict. I suppose there are far worse things to be addicted to, but this is seriously not helping me get anything done.

And now one of my favorite sites for quilt projects (and more!), Moda Bake Shop, is hosting a little giveaway called 'Love it, Pin it, Win it'.

This website is one of the most inspiring, with such beautiful photographs and really well planned "step-by-step" instructions. Anytime I browse the quilt projects I feel like I could easily walk into the studio and start one immediately. Biggest problem, which one?!?!?! There are always so many amazing projects! And! They have TONS of different tutorials for quilts, bags, accessories, clothing, home items and holiday crafts to mention a few.
How could I resist, really.

It's simple. Just visit the Moda Bake Shop site. Pin your favorite 'Recipes', be sure your pin is linked to the recipe itself and not the home page and include these three tags (#modabakeshop #modafabrics #lovepinwin).

So easy. I created a board just for my favorites. Now I have no excuse! I must make these!
http://pinterest.com/mandamillar/modabakeshop-recipe-loves/

The quilt projects I've pinned are all favorites that I'd like to make. I'm not sure I could have picked just one, so I'm glad we can pin as many as we want!
Of course, there are awesome prizes to be had, the winners being chosen randomly from tagged photos.
So come join the fun and add to your "To-Make" list some really amazing projects!

Okay. Really, I must stop. I keep pinning! I have a baby quilt to finish up! Someone pry me from my computer chair.......

Scrap!

                                                              Scrap irons, a photo by amandamillar on Flickr.

I love ironing....and scraps. And i haven't really been neat about storing them, so they come out all wrinkled.
These are stuck to my felt wall. Now, how to get them onto a backing of cotton.
How to keep the layout exact.....this may take me all day to figure out.
So far, i'm thinking freezer paper. We'll see how it goes tonight.

Am I seeing a good entry to the Scrap Attack?

Works In Progress Wednesday

I have so many many many things I'm doing at once, I feel like a machine. I am a machine. I like being a machine.
After work yesterday, I spent a few hours at the downtown studio again and finished up another quilt top and basted it. (Insert amazement here.)
That's two quilts ready for stitchery. Makes me squeal with delight.

Yes. The Summer Sampler Series I started last summer will be finished before this summer! I like this photo, the angle lets you ignore the not perfect alignment of the blocks. I didn't do that bad of a job, but you know, if it's the tiniest mistake, I see it.

Anyway, I look forward to doing a bit of stitching on both tops this weekend.

I also am working on a super special custom doll for the daughter of a very good friend. I've redesigned my patterns again, attempting a more child-play friendly design. And new eyes, no more buttons. PLUS this darling child has a passion for dressing, so I'm making this doll some nifty outfits! I'm so thrilled for the challenge.

I've got some great doll inspiration these days. I pulled some fabrics for the doll itself and below is the beautiful fabrics she gave me to incorporate as I wish, though I already know I'm going to make some fabulous little dresses to start!

Doll body fabrics

Dearest Friends contribution.....simply cheery

I leave you now with a view of my table this morning. Happy Creating!

Link up!

Persistence Chases Gloom

I've been quite busy. The end of February brought about new business ventures. I opened a studio with best friend Roach in the Life Arts Building downtown. The photo above is from our opening night during March's Art Walk. There were tons of people. Even those who wanted to steal $1 items. Lesson : leave nothing at pocket height. Sad but true.

Aside from that, I've been working steadily. Odd. But it's working. I have space to work on a large white wall, (Yay! for a huge 15 ft. design wall!) a place for photographing the finished projects and display them. But really I've immersed myself in finishing things.

And starting things of course.

While painting the studio walls of all things, I get the itch to start another painting.

                     

Random yes. Highly enjoyable project to accompany my time. Yes.

And another. In all fairness, I just started this one on Saturday. Coming along nicely. I'm going to do a bit of Mola applique on this i think.

Also, as of this evening, this project from last summer is finally all pieced together. I decided on a solid white for the borders. And I admit, I did it kinda free form. By eye. The blocks aren't really all the same size. It was an experiment from start to finish. But I like the look of it, very crisp. 

I did a quick three hour work shift at the downtown studio and was able to piece the backing and get the whole think basted. Whew. 

I know. It's a lot. It FEELS like a lot. Continuously. And its an awesome feeling to close my eyes and think of all the things I've made today.

I used my first lap quilt "Worldly" on the balcony to watch the sunset at the studio and beamed with happiness in what I'd made.

Quilting = Love

I leave you with the design wall. The purples and tans will unite like wind etchings. The skull will get more English paper pieced rose stars and say something poetic. 

This is why I get up everyday.

-manda

New Year, Better Blogger.....

The start of this new year has not been as productive as I'd hoped for. I let my brain have a vacation and spent endless days dreaming of the projects I should have been working on.

Weaving Practice. "What Are You Making?" "I have no idea. Really."

It's been over a month now since I last posted here...and to think I was trying to be a better blogger three months ago. Clearly, that didn't happen. So I will try try again. Fall off horse, run after horse, jump back on horse and hold. Something like that.
It's pretty sad that I've been falling off a proverbial horse that hasn't even been in motion.

I have been working on things, new and old. It's been a good mix of chaos. I've noticed that trend in blog-landia among other quilt artists, too many starts, not enough finishes. And I came to the conclusion the other evening, that in admitting to myself that I have a problem with finishing, I could tackle it easily, better yet I wanted to tackle it. For some reason calling it out make it less scary. I love the process and am afraid that when I finish, it's over and gone. Silly, I know.

I have been compiling my usual "New Year Goal List" which I'll share here as a reminder and a source of inspiration.

• Regular & Frequent Blogging// I need to record my progress accurately as well as make better connections in the art/quilt world.
• Revamp of Process// I clearly need to work differently, like from start to finish and not have multiple projects going at once until I master this.
• Finishing of the Unfinished// My first goal of the year is to get all 14(ish) quilt projects that have been started, finished. finally.
• Better Use of Time// The more time i have, the more i slack off. That needs to change.
• Online Store Fronts// I need to treat my online shop like a brick&mortar store. My dedication to it has slacked again. Embarrassing.
• More Book Work// Though I made quite a few mini books this last year, I'd like to flesh out some of my bigger ideas (children's book), as well as a sewing/quilting book and get it pitched to the right peeps.
• First Solo Show// I've done everything but had a real Solo show of my textile art. It's about time.
• Natural Energy Development// Better eating and more exercise. I need to take care of myself better and keep the bad mood mind away. I'm afraid this includes a running routine.
• Connection// Better my connections to the things I am inspired by and love. People, places, information.
• Self Love// I need to give more of myself to myself than to others.
• Travel & Adventure// I need to see new things. Freshen up my perspectives. 
• Inspire// Nothing motivates me more than to be able to see my creativity inspire others to follow their passions.

Okay, really, this list could go on and on. But this morning, these are the points in my mind. Things I meant to share and never got around to it.

I acquired tons of new fabrics over the winter vacation, going on a chance trip to my nearest fabric mecca M & L Fabrics in Anaheim. Plus I received a Joann's gift card for Xmas from Mum and was able to score cotton batting at 50% off.

While out doing last minute Xmas shopping at a local thrift store, I came across this most awesome "Battle Star Galactica" vintage bed sheet. As soon as I saw it wadded up in a bin under a table, I knew I wanted to turn it into my first whole cloth quilt. To make it even better, when I pulled it out, it was saturated with a stomach turning stale urine aroma that took seven washes (4 being vinegar) to remove. Quite the adventure. Leave it to me to have to buy something covered in urine. But totally worth it.

I've also been slacking on my submission to The 2012 Sketchbook Project. Which must be mailed before the end of this month! Eek!

Making good progress on it though and happy to be using it as an experimental zone.

Spent a moment working on this piece as well. "Dangerous Things in Pastels" Thinking about making a series of them, snakes and guns. It warms my heart.

And I leave you today with this next image, what I wake up to, glorious sun rays highlighting the work table in the studio. And yes,  the "Worldly" quilt that I pieced about seven years ago is finally being quilted and will probably be my first 2012 finish. Fingers crossed.

Cheers to a beautiful day!
-M.

Clearings

I've been spending my time trying to tackle all the half finished projects i have piled around the studio. It's a lofty attempt, but I've been making good headway. And the rewarding feeling of finishing something is excellent fuel to the creative fire. So this weekend, I finished the last four blocks of the Summer Sampler QAL i started in...duh, summer, and with such good intentions.
But with a huge sigh of relief and a beer of course, i am celebrating finishing all twelve blocks! Whoo hoo! This quilt i started with the idea of making something for myself finally, and i still love it. This is the first all solid quilt and how addicting! I have since added to my solid stash heavily i tell you.
I still have to edge most of the blocks in black to square them off at  12 1/2 in., then i think i will still add more black in boarders around each block.....
I haven't even begun to think about the back or the quilting details.

The best part about this quilt.....all the paper piecing. I'd never tried that before, and the results were amazing. I'm kinda obsessed with the option of precision and paper piecing can fill that craving.
Though many of my blocks are not perfect, they're so close it hurts! And especially on my first go of it. Sooooo in love with paper piecing!

Very easy and with amazing results!

Happy Sunday and Cheers!

xOxx Mammalia

Rabbits Run First

This little vacation proved to be quite enlightening. I happily made and finished! a new table runner while simultaneously making  a pumpkin cheesecake before Thanksgiving "dinner". A quiet holiday. But after the weekend I've had, i'm more than ready to go run round the mini's again, back to work tomorrow!

I could ramble on about other random adventures during the last week, but speaking of work, I also managed to list some new plush in the shop...check it out! I'm finding a good rhythm now that the weather has changed. I need to not loose it. 

Enjoy!
xX Mammalia Chu-p-zie

A Homemade Block Tutorial

 

The other night, I was flipping through quilt magazines, mulling project ideas and fell in love with a quilt called "Equivalents" based on the traditional "Moon Over Mountain" block. The quilt was made of mostly soft hued batik fabrics and was so gorgeous.

I got the itch to design my own. The finished block above is a smaller, tighter version of what I saw in the magazine. It reminds me of progress, success, and all things going up. So I'm giving it a strange name, "Health Meter", mostly because I was thinking about my health while drawing it out.

So here follows my first attempt at writing a quilt block tutorial. I've made one block off the pattern I drafted, pieced by hand and it didn't turn out so bad. I'm a novice at curved piecing on a machine, we'll try that another day.
 So here we go:

Health Meter Block Tutorial
finished size 8.5 x 5.5

Materials Needed:

Copy of Templates (found here)
Fabric Scraps at least 7in. sq. and smaller
Thin cardboard
Scissors/ Exact-O Knife
Pencil/Fabric marking chalk
Glue Stick
Hand sewing needle
Thread

Cut from Fabric:

1- 3in. x 4in. (for template A)
2- 2in. x 3in. (for templates B)
2- 2.5in. x 3in. (for templates C & Cr)
2- 1.75in x 5in. (for templates D)
2- 4in. x 7in. (for templates E)

Bottom right and going counterclockwise Pieces A-E

A note about fabric selection: You'll notice that i used seven different fabrics for my block, but it's really up to you. This block could be made using 2- 8 different fabrics. So play a bit, don't be scared!

I glued my block copy onto thin cardboard to make sturdy templates because i'd like to make an entire quilt of these blocks and I need them to last multiple tracings.

Cut out the template pieces along the black lines, I used an Exact-O knife to make nice clean and far more accurate cuts.

Once all you've cut apart the template you're ready to trace your templates onto the fabrics.

Keep in mind, since you've cut your templates from the "finished" block, when cutting out your pieces, add a 1/4" seam allowance around each shape. The drawn template line will act as a nice stitching guide line but don't forget to trace it on the "wrong" side of the fabric.

Sometimes lightly finger pressing the seam allowance around the template helps as well.

Once all your block pieces are cut out including a seam allowance, you can begin hand piecing in the order shown on the template. The numbers 1-5 indicate which seams to stitch and in which order.

Staring with C and Cr, right sides together stitch together using a running stitch and making a few back stitches at the beginning and end. 

I try and make my stitches as small as possible to add strength to the seam.

As you finish each seam, finger press them lightly. 

When putting the curved seams together, I lightly creased a center line in each piece to help match up and pin them together correctly. 

                             

Place a pin at the center where the pieces match, then slowly ease the edges to meet and pin loosely.

      

I am by no means a pro at curved piecing yet, but as far as I can tell, it's just a slow, take your time process. I just stitched slowly, making sure seams matched where they needed to.

When the curved seams are finished, it's very important to clip the edges a bit to allow the fabric to settle into its new curving shape.

And since this block is mostly curves, it's really best to take your time and go slow (did i say that already? haha). I did finish hand piecing the whole thing in under two hours.

Basically the seams are done in order,

pieces C and Cr, and both B and D seams are marked 1.

Next the C/Cr unit is attached to piece E marked by 2.

Then piece A is sewn to the other E piece marked by 3.

And that's it for the curved seams!

Now for the final seams of the block. Start with the seams marked by the 4's. Don't forget to match up the seams of the inner circle and hold with a pin.

When you're stitching by hand, you can go slow enough that matching up the seams is simple. For the final seams marked by the 5 on the diagram, I matched the circle seam lines first and then the point. I just started up one side, slowed at the point, and back down the other side. 

I did have a slight bulking of fabric at the point that i clipped very carefully. And as you've noticed, I failed to take a picture of the set in seam. So you'll just have to try it for yourself!

After the block was finished, I did some pressing and squared up the block to the finished size of 8.5in. x 5.5in. and love how it came out! 

I hope you try it out and share! I'll be opening a Flickr group soon for the Mammal Chupie tutorials. Hope you enjoyed this little block. I can't wait to make more! And boy, it's not easy making these tutorials.....I just knew i'd forget to photograph at least one step haha! Oh well. Pretty good for my first one.