Mayhem, Free Piecing and a New Beginning

I know the title of my blog post sounds pretty random but that has been the state of my life in the last 24 hours.

I was up late last night, way too late, working on a free pieced block.  It was such a much needed break from the more precise work I've been doing.  My table ended up looking like this:

It did result in this fun block.  I love making log cabin blocks.  Picking fabrics is the most satisfying!

The pear in the middle is paper pieced.  A block I made a while ago.  Thought it would be fun as the focal point of the block!

 

 

 

So my youngest son started Kindergarten today- hence the New Beginning.  Oh my goodness, I was not expecting the reaction I had - I actually cried!!!  I wasn't expecting to feel that way....I thought I was ready for him to go off into the big wide world!  I think he is ready, but it is just such a big step in his young life.  He is a very busy and energetic little guy which adds to my stress.  Will he be able to sit still?  Will he listen and behave?  Most important - will he like school?  Ugh........I'm sure all will be well when I pick him up in three hours but I can't help but worry......

There he is, among that sea of little heads.  I love him so much......

 

Have a lovely day!

xo

Charise

Pink Castle Fabric Sale

Yikes,  I almost forgot to let you know Pink Castle Fabrics is having a sale.  20% off this Labor Day weekend good until Monday.  Use the code LABOR20.

Brenda just started carrying Yuwa...I'm in love.  Perfect for fussy cutting!
They are quickly selling out.  I need to get over there pronto : ) 

 

Happy Shopping!!

 

August is over, (sniffle)

Ok, where on earth did the summer go?   It was a busy and good one.  I was surprised to see how many projects I actually completed in August.  Two of the projects were for blog hops and two were Bee Blocks.  Seems I work best under pressure!  Lovely Lynne is hosting her Small Blog Hop and Fresh Sewing Day.  Here is my little mosaic of finishes!

(I have to plug PicMonkey which is where I made the mosaic.  It is free and wonderful to use.  You can resize your photos and there are lots of different mosaic shapes!)

We (my boys and I) spent most of August at Colman Pool.  It has become a summer ritual for us.  We didn't have the warmest of summers but the boys didn't seem to mind!  They have both become such good swimmers!! 

It is an outdoor pool and sits on the edge of a point right on Puget Sound.  I can't imagine a better way to spend a day.... swimming with my boys and enjoying the absolutely beautiful vistas of the water and the Ferry boats going by.

I learned a lot this summer - it is so important to enjoy the moment even when you feel you cannot take any more little boy energy and fighting : ) 

I'm going to miss spending so much time with the two of them.......  They are growing up too fast!!!! 

 

Enjoy your weekend!! 

Fashion Design Studio

Amy from During Quiet Time announced a fabulous little contest a few weeks ago called "Texting While Sewing".  I'm a bit embarrassed to say that when I read the description for the first time I thought oh dang, I don't TEXT so there is no way I can enter.
 

 I know, I know - it is a bit silly I don't text.  One of my friends has been gently pressuring me to text so I will probably start soon : )
 

Anyhow,  Amy meant using text fabrics in a 12" x 12" quilting block!  Well, Hello, that is right up my alley.  I love using text fabrics in my projects.

 I've been so incredibly busy with some new projects, but I did find a small window this week to work on a block for the contest. 

As luck would have it,  I also had a block to make for Amy in the Cocorico Quilting Bee.  Her theme is Artist Studio.  It was due at the end on June but I have been stuck. Ugh!!!  I had so many ideas but kept coming back to "Fashion design studio". I was resistant because I've already made two blocks that are almost identical.  I decided to go with it so here is - version # 3 and I'm calling it the Fashion Design Studio...........

I used two of my favorite text fabrics:  Kumiko Fujita Red text print and Suzuko Koseki Yellow Text Print.  Click on the fabric descriptions for a link to the fabric : ) 

 

You should check out the Flickr group here.  There are some amazing blocks in the group. 

Have a wonderful day!

 

xo

Charise 

Another Thrifty Thursday

So I wish I had some new projects to share today!  I have been working on a few but I can't reveal them for some months. 

 I have made time to do a bit more thrifting : )

I found the McCoy vase and fun little fabric scraps at a local vintage and estate warehouse.

My favorite is the one on the left.  I got a few pieces of this one and it has a feedsack texture to it.

Speaking of feedsacks,  I found both of these on Ebay.  I go through stages of searching for feedsacks on Ebay then I go cold turkey for weeks which is a good thing since it becomes a bit of an addiction : ) 

I love the one with the gal watering and picking flowers.

This will be a fun one to fussy cut!!

I do have a little something to share.  I made the log cabin square weeks ago as a little break from the "have to do" projects.  They will probably become a purse.

Hope you are having a lovely summer!
Ours has gone by so fast.  My little guy starts Kindergarten in 2 1/2 weeks!  I'm excited to have more time to work on my projects but also very sad that he is growing up so fast.

xo

Charise

Thrifty Thursday

Hi!   Hope you are having a lovely summer so far.

We went on a camping trip a few weeks ago and on the way (we camped near Mt St Helens) I stopped at my favorite antique mall in Olympia, Wa - Finders Keepers.

I picked up this vintage quilt top for $16!  I'm not sure what I will do with it but I just loved all the 1930's feedsack prints.

I also picked up this vintage kitchen fabric - probably circa 1960's.  Love it!

My roses are blooming for the second time!  Love this time of year since there is not much to do in the garden except water and enjoy!

Have a lovely day!

xo

Charise

Practically Paper Pieced Blog Hop

Do you have orphaned paper pieced blocks lying around?  Well I do ~ and then some!  So when Kristy asked me to be a part of her Practically Paper Pieced Blog Hop I jumped at the chance. The Hop is all about making something out of your orphaned blocks. 

The Hop runs through August and the projects are just wonderful!  I promise you will be inspired!

I made a bunch of paper pieced apples months ago and thought they would be perfect for a frame pouch.  I have been wanting to try to make a frame pouch for ages!

I used my free apple pattern which you can find HERE.

The frame pouch tutorial is from U-Handbag Here.  It is a fabulous tutorial!!  Great, easy to follow instructions!

My frame measures 5" wide and I found it at Joann Fabrics.  

*I chose to stitch my frame to the pouch instead of glue it.  It is a bit tricky but I love the detail added from the contrast stitching.

  Here is a little tip:  position your purse in the frame, baste, and start stitching from the middle to the edge. I used Perle Cotton Embroidery floss.  

*I used the apple exactly the same size as my pattern-  2 3/4" wide.   Border were added so that the finished block would be the size of my pouch with seam allowance -
 The finished pouch is 6" high x 8 1/2"wide, so with a 1/4" seam allowance my block measured about 6 1/2" x 9".

*I then added a layer of batting and lining and quilted my pattern. 

 * I stitched box corners that are 1" from the point at the bottom and 1 1/2" deep.

Instead of using interfacing as in Lisa's tutorial, I used cotton batting since I wanted to quilt my purse and give it a bit of softness. 

 

This pouch also uses my apple pattern but the apple was enlarged to 3 1/2" wide.

 

I used the same 5" frame.  This purse measures 6" high x 6 3/4" at the widest point.  I also used batting in this pouch and did some echo quilting around the apple.

Here are a few more things I've made from paper pieced blocks ~

The apple makes a great coaster.......

Or a pot holder : )

This bag was made from my free Tulip pattern which you can find here.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out the other bloggers during the month of August.

Oh... and take a peek at the Flickr group.  There are some fab projects popping up there!

xo

Charise

A Winner

Thank you so much everyone for taking the time to tell me your dream Christmas destinations.  I wasn't able to comment but I did read all your comments and enjoyed it so much!!

Fiesta said:

"Your work is beautiful. Thank you for sharing today. I would spend my Christmas wherever my kids are."

Fiesta, I will contact you via email!

xo

Charise

Practically Paper Pieced Blog Hop

Kristy at Quiet Play is hosting a wonderful Blog hop!!  The idea is to take your orphaned paper pieced blocks and make something from them.

Kristy made this adorable pouch from one of her paper pieced patterns which you can find in her Craftsy shop Here.

Please be sure to check out the wonderful projects.  The hop runs through the month of August.

The list of bloggers is here:

1 Kristy from Quiet Play

2 Kate from Kate Quilts

3 Diane from From Blank Pages

4 Lara from LuellaBella

5 Sunday – Day off

6 Charise from Charise Creates

7 Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts

8 Kiera from Kizzie’s Korner

9 Marieka from Bespoke Bites

10 Sally from Sally Bally Creations

11 Jane from QuiltJane

12 Sunday – Day off

13 Taryn from Pixels To Patchwork

14 Jane from Where Jane Creates

15 Laura from Quokka Quilts

16 Emily from Emily the Enabler

17 McKenna from Textile Diva

18 Sat Lauren from Renrad Craft Studio

19 Sunday – Day off

20 Fiona from Finding Fifth

21 Beth from Plum and June

22 Megan from Jaffa quilts

23 Juliet from Tartan Kiwi

24 Katy from The Littlest Thistle

25 Sat Tracey from the Peony Teacup

26 Sunday – Day off

27 Fiona from Celtic Thistle Stitches

28 Anorina from Samelia’s Mum

29-31 Linky party to share projects - blog hoppers and readers all welcome!

 

I will see you on the 6th of August with my project! 

xo

Charise

Christmas in Paris & A Little give-away!

Today is my day in the Thinking Christmas Blog Hop hosted by the lovely Lesley.

I designed a paper piecing block that is a stack of presents I'd like to receive.  While picking the fabric - A Christmas in Paris theme emerged!  I would love to spend Christmas Holiday in Paris - wouldn't you?

Sipping Chocolat Chaud on a chilly winter day.   Then a walk along the Seine : )  And the shopping would be divine!!

Some of the fabrics I used are:

Left - top to bottom:
Benartex Sweet Shoppe by Michele D'Amore
Vintage Modern by Bonnie and Camille
Benartex Sweet Shoppe by Michele D'Amore
Right:
Penelope- Salon de The' Paris by Holly Holderman for LakehouseDryGoods.com.
I LOVE the Holly Holderman print!  There are so many wonderful motifs and it translates to Christmas so well even  though it is a tea theme fabric!

I'm also hosting a little give - away!!

One winner will receive my gifts pattern, one other pattern of their choice from my shop, and a F8 bundle of the fabrics shown above.

**Please leave a comment telling me where you would spend Christmas if you could choose absolutely any place in the world!**

I will pick winners on Sunday Morning - Aug 5th. .  Please leave a comment by 12:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight time Saturday August 4th.

If you would like to purchase the Gifts pattern, I will have it listed at half-price in my Craftsy shop until Sunday evening 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time!

Also, please be sure to check out the other bloggers and their wonderful work on the hop here:

Grandmama's Stories
Sandra Kaye Designs
North Hills Quilter
Lv2sew
Quilty Doodads
Quilting in South Carolina
The Raspberry Rabbits
Charise Creates
Traveling Quilter
Nancy B at That Other Blog
Selina Quilts
I have a button on my side bar you can click on to see the entire list of bloggers on this hop!

Thanks to Lesley and Mdm Samm for a lovely hop : )

xo Charise

Royal Tea

I'm very excited to have a project in Issue 10 -Fat Quarterly  ~  Sew Brittania. The issue is full of wonderful projects inspired by the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Summer Olympics in London..

I created "Royal Tea" a pillow pair using vintage crown and tea pot images I applied to fabric 

via transfer paper. The images were found at Graphics Fairy. 

I was going for a vintage, antique feel and used Moda Etchings by 3 sisters for the background fabric and the fabric I applied the transfers to.   The prints are Liberty Tana Lawn.  The project requires  very little fabric so I was able to splurge on Liberty fabric!!

The pillow back fabric is Botanika Collection by Paula Prass.
I hope you will take a peek at FQ Issue 10!

xo
Charise

A Woman's Work

I'm ecstatic - I got the last bit of fabric from the lovely Ayumi to finish  the equally lovely Leila's Cocorico Bee Block.

Leila's theme is "a woman's work" -  inspired by the 50's housewife.  She was inspired by vintage advertisements and this blog - very funny and worth the read!  I started a pinterest board to serve as my design board for images to draw from.  The apron was one of my favorites and this is how I interpreted it for Leila:

Yes...I made not just one but three : )  I couldn't stop they were so much fun to make.  Leila can choose her favorite!

Since Leila asked for 6" blocks and this block is a bit easier than most of my bee blocks I've made,  I decided to make "In the Cupboard - Mixing bowl set" for her as well.  There is a pic on my pinterest board of stacked vintage pyrex which was the inspiration for this block.

This one was also fun and very addictive to make.  The top left is my vintage bowl set - mismatched and much loved.  The other two are definitely a matching set though also vintage inspired.  Most of the fabrics were from Ayumi's wonderful shop.  The apple fabric on the bottom is Riley Blake Apple of my eye, which I just adore!  The yellow and red apron fabric is Hope Chest from the website Connecting Threads. 

The patterns are available in my Etsy shop and Craftsy shop should you want to make one of your own!!

On the home front, it has been crazy busy around here.  My hubs has been working hard on our new patio for our back yard with help from our boys!! They are actually at an age where they are helpful.  It is pretty cool.
It is going to be just beautiful but definitely making the rest of the yard look a bit shabby : )

I hope you are enjoying your summer!!

xo

Charise

Work in Progress Wednesday

I've been a busy bee the past week.  Getting close to having Leila's Cocorico bee blocks done:

I'm also working on a few things for a blog hop during the first week of August - more details soon!

xo

Charise

Summer Cocktail

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer!  It is finally nice here in Seattle. 

70-80 degrees - perfect summer weather. I thought Summer would never come - we have had one dreary Summer up until July 4th!

I just finished my latest Bee Block!!! 

Tamiko requested "Magnum PI" for her theme in the Ringo Pie Bee.  I didn't watch the show (I was a busy college girl at the time) but who doesn't remember the mustached Tom Selleck !!

Tamiko provided a great picture mosaic and I decide to go with a cocktail.  Mine has a pink umbrella.  I hope Magnum is in touch with his feminine side !!

After sketching this in the computer I decided to make a pattern.  I have it available in my Craftsy and Etsy shops : ) 

And speaking of summer, I just discovered Sew Mama Sew's newest Fat Quarter Idol.  I love this contest!!   If you have a few minutes I highly recommend it for the sheer fun of it.  You have until tomorrow to come up with your Fat Quarter set.  The theme is "Beach Blanket Bingo" and here is my entry:

Ok....I soooooo want a cocktail on the beach with a blanket made with these fabrics!!!!

 Hope you are enjoying your summer!

xo

Charise

Liberty Past and Present

Seems I have been seeing lots of lovely Liberty fabric projects popping up.  Kerry made this lovely tea set for the Liberty Cafe  - how cool is that?  Leila made an absolutely adorable frame pouch.

I thought I would share my past experience with Liberty Fabrics.  You may or may not know this, but I have been a fashion designer for the past 23 years.  I have taken the past few years away from my career to spend time with my youngest son who goes to Kindergarten in the Fall. 

Way back when in 1999 : )  I worked as the women's woven designer for Nordstrom's Evergreen, now Halogen, line of women's clothing.  It was a wonderful job.  Halogen was a new line for Nordstrom and I was the first of two designers.  Those of you who are familiar with Nordstrom may know a bit about the different departments. At the time, Halogen was to sit in the Savvy department at Nordstrom.  The Savvy department houses young, fresh, higher end fashion.  I was lucky enough to travel to Europe for design inspiration, work with factories in Italy and even more exciting, to shop the most wonderful fabric show - Premiére Vision -  outside Paris!  We purchased fabulous Europen fabrics and that is where the connection comes to Liberty Fabrics.  I chose Liberty lawn for this little top I designed, bottom right.

I even still have the swatch booklet from the 1999 Liberty Fabrics line.

Can you tell it is well loved?  It has been travelling with me for the past 13 years : )
I love to open it and admire all the wonderful designs.

Someday I'll muster the courage to cut into it........

So... all that being said, and thanks for listening, but I couldn't resist this F8 pack of Liberty from Pink Chalk fabrics!!  I think I'll make the Rose Dream block into a zip pouch.

 

xo

Charise

Have you seen this?

The Workroom had a photo of this on Flickr. 

 

I have soooo many projects in the works but I just had to buy the pattern.  You can get it as an instant download PDF.  The details are just amazing and I'm torn as to whether to make the top or dress! 

Or maybe the dress with the bishop sleeves.  The placket is bias cut stripes and I think it is an absolute genius detail.  It reminds me of something I would find at Anthropologie, my absolute favorite shop!!

The Victory website is here and she has many more adorable patterns!!

I made another Rose Dreams Block.  I just love this block!!

Thank you everyone for your comments about a Vintage Block Quilt Along.  I'm definitely going to start in the Fall when my little boys are in school.  It will be a block a month, no stress, no pressure.  Make an entire quilt or use the patterns for a bee block or any quilty project you can think of.

Have a lovely day!

xo

Charise