I'm in Love.....

OK... this is a bit embarassing but I'm referring to my new i-pad mini.  I have been waffling for so long and probably one of the last people to get a "smart" device.  Instagram pushed me over the edge.  Sadly Flickr is quiet and many of my Flickr friends have headed over to instagram.  Flickr is great for organizing photos and is the place I met most of my lovely quilting and sewing friends! It is a wonderful tool for groups and quilt alongs.   I'm not abandoning Flickr but I do love the community and sharing on Instagram.  Pls visit me there - you can find the link to my account on the right hand side of my blog - I'm @charisecreates.  Here are a few pics I've taken on Instagram and shared in the past few days..........

I'm almost finished with these pouces for a class at Drygoods Design.  The left one is finished. The one on the right is basted, just need to stitch the frame to the pouch with some bright red perle cotton embroidery floss!

My quilt came back from Quiltmaker Magazine - so happy to have it home!!

I'm adding another border on my "Color burst" quilt!  It is getting too big for my design wall!!

I hope you are enjoying the summer!

xo

Charise

Sewing for myself : )

I was at the dentist office yesterday thumbing through the April issue of Martha Stewart and ran across the most adorable peasant blouse. The pattern is a free download from her site and you can find it here.  I needed a break from a pattern I've been working on and thought this would be a perfect little departure.  Three hours later and I had a new blouse!  I love the ease of the style and I'm sure it will be a "go to" this summer.  The pattern offers a dress style and 3 different sleeve lengths.
I used the long sleeve version and lengthened the body about 4 inches to more of a long shirt, short tunic length.  I measured a favorite woven top of mine to figure out which size I wanted to cut.  I usually wear a size Medium but based on my top I cup a size Small.   It is always a good ideas to sew a muslin - or fitting garment in a similar fabric to make sure you like the size and fit.

I also added another border to my quilt.  I love having the design wall up so I can work on this at my own pace - it happens to be a snails pace these days!!

Have a lovely day!
xo
Charise

Consoling myself.....

Yesterday I was planning and scheming ways to get to Quilt Market which just happens to be in Portland Oregon which is just a 3-4 hour drive from Seattle.  I received an email from Becca and another from Amber who both live on the East Coast asking me if I was going to be there. They are both the absolutely loveliest ladies and I was so excited to meet them but I told them I couldn't - kids, scheduled activities, etc - then I spoke with my hubby who said "you should go".  So yesterday after picking up the boys from school I was heading home to send the ladies emails saying "I'm coming to Quilt Market and can't wait to meet you in person!".

When I picked up my youngest son, he said he wasn't feeling well and what do you know  -  he had a temp of 102 degrees.  Plans for quilt market dashed : (

So to console myself today, I, finally, after about a year of owning it, put up a design wall.  It is just a vinyl grid with fuzzy fabric on one side and large grommets on the top -  I think I bought it at Joann Fabrics.  Armed with the drill and some cup hooks I now have a design wall.  I'm pretty darn excited. 

I hope to meet the ladies someday soon, though I'll have to say I feel fortunate to be able to make a little sick guy feel better : )

xo
Charise