Red and Aqua – You Gotta Love It!

So just like the rest of you I have all this extra time on my hands, LOL – NOT!  But, I just love the idea of a Red and Aqua quilt. 

Being the jealous type, I was reading my sister, Melinda’s Blog and saw that she was participating in a Disappearing Nine Patch, Red and Aqua block exchange.  She said they were excepting 100 swappers and that she was No. 94.  Well not to be out done, I ran, not walked, over to Jane’s Fabrics and Quilts Blog and immediately sent Jane an email.  Well guess what, I was No. 100, YEA!!!!!

Off I went to the quilt store.  Mind you I have a huge stash but no Aqua and very little Red that would work, so I had to purchase more fabric.  I figured I would need about 1/4 of at least 12 fabrics.  I bought 1/2 yards so that I would have some in my stash for the next time.  Here’s what I now have.

The red on the top row, second from the right is one I’ve had for a long time.  It’s tiny little airplanes and one of my all time favorites.  I like the variety but I may have to visit another store just to see what else would be even more interesting. 

Now, all I have to do is figure out how to make 25 blocks over the next two weeks.  Because, of course, I have nothing else to do.

Enjoy,

Busy Bee

I’ve been a busy bee over the weekend.  Once again if you’re attending the TWW retreat this weekend, STOP, do not continue.  Remember you’re suppose to be surprised at what is in your welcome package.

I love these little zippered screen bags.  I have them in various sized and use them for all kinds of things.  These are about 9” x 5” and would work well for a little sewing kit, cosmetic bag or who knows what else. 

 

They will no doubt have a few goodies in them for everyone attending the retreat. 

If you interested in how to make them, I’ll do a tutorial in the near future, so stay tuned.

Enjoy,

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

I use a calculator a lot, particularly when working on a new pattern.  I use it to calculate fabric requirements and various other things.  I used to be really good at math but as time goes by I rely more and more on my calculator. 

I have an I Phone that I love and it has a calculator but for whatever reason I really don’t like using it.  I know I have several other calculators around the house but they seem to disappear.  So today while at the 99 cent store I bought yet again, another calculator.  It works just fine but……… What’s wrong with this picture?

It took me a while to figure it out, something just didn’t seem right.  But it works, and I bet I don’t lose it. 

Enjoy,

Tissue Holders – Lot’s of Tissue Holders

 

If you’re attending next weekends retreat, STOP, no peeking. 

Yesterday I finished making tissue holders for the upcoming Two Wacky Women Retreat.  I made 30 of them by having my own little assembly line.  They really went together pretty fast.  The sewing is simple, the ironing is the only thing that is a little tedious and slows the process down.

Here’s one of them up close and personal.

It kinda cute, don’t you think?

Enjoy,

What’s it going to be?

I have a lousy cold but my timing is perfect.  I spent last weekend in Portland visiting family and I have a retreat that my partner Marilyn and I are hosting in a week and a half, so if I was going to get sick, this is absolutely the right time.

I still have several things to finish up for the retreat and I’ve actually started working on them but I came across these blocks that I made some time ago.

 

I used a Hoffman Bali Pop.  Instead of leaving the strips as they come, 2 1/2”, I varied the width to make it more interesting.  I quilted the first one quite awhile ago but finally quilted the second one this morning. 

So now, What’s it going to be?  Stay tuned and I’ll show you my progress.  I plan to continue to work on this in between the retreat items I’m making.

Enjoy,

Comments are welcomed and encouraged.

Plus a Candy Bar!

So I thought I’d show you what I bought at Fabric Depot. I have so much fabric and actually controlled myself (at least by not buying fabric).  Remember if you spend $50.00 you get a free candy bar.

I couldn’t resist purchasing more grommets.  I’ve had trouble finding the large black ones on the left and I figured I better buy more of the medium platinum ones just because.  But the great find was the shiny silver grommets.  I’ve never seen these before I can hardly wait to play with them. 

I figured I’d buy another Companion Angle ruler that will be used at the upcoming Two Wacky Women retreat and while I was at it bought the 3 1/2” x 9 1/2” Easy Rule Jr. ruler, it seems like a great size to live with my traveling sewing supplies.  

And then the button, ah……the button.  Maureen needed to have some fabric cut so the guy in the bridal area wasn’t busy so he invited us over to his department to cut her fabric.  Well let me tell you, they have gorgeous things in the bridal department including some fabulous buttons.  I couldn’t resist this one.  It is a little over 2” in diameter and appears to be ceramic.  I just love it.

Did I mention we each got a candy bar?  I got a Big Hunk.  Haven’t had one of those in years.  BTW did you know it is very low in fat?  Let’s don’t talk about the sugar content. 

Enjoy,

Comments are welcomed and encouraged.

Quilter’s Heaven

My husband, John and I are in Oregon visiting family.

Yesterday my DIL Maureen and I went to the famous Fabric Depot.  Not only were they having a sale, but if you spent more than $50.00 you got your choice of a free candy bar.  On the way there we decided that we would pool our purchases so that me could get a free candy bar.  Now you have to know that Maureen and I are both watching our weight and trying to follow Weight Watcher eating habits, so we really needed that candy bar.

If you haven’t been blessed with a visit to Fabric Depot, trust me, you would be overwhelmed.

So check it out…….

By the way, we each got our own candy bar.

Enjoy,

Comments are welcomed and encouraged.

Box Pouch

Cute, cute, cute………

 

Because I have absolutely nothing else to do, I decided to try out a simple little tutorial at the Indie House Blog.  She has several tutorials listed over on the right hand side.

I tried, really I did try, to follow the directions, but if you know me at all…….it was hard.  It’s not the directions, they’re just fine, it’s me.  I just can’t leave anything alone.  I only made minor changes while making this one but have already started planning my next one. 

So this will be my jumping off point.  It has some similarities to my “Wacky Zippered Bag” pattern but I really like the shape of this one.  The next time I have “nothing else to do”, I’ll play some more.  I’ll keep you posted.

Enjoy,

Comments are welcomed and encouraged.

Finished

Last night I finished most of my newest Letty’s Bag.  This morning I added the grommets and finished the strap.

The grommets are easy to install but I always like to wait until I’m bright eyed in the morning before cutting into my completed bag.  I love the little touch of red, I’m a red person at heart.

I’m heading to the Portland, Oregon area for the weekend so this will be the perfect size bag to take with me on the plane. 

I’m very lucky to have a wonderful daughter-in-law, Maureen, that loves to sew and quilt.  I’ll be taking her my newest patterns to give them a try. 

Enjoy,

Comments are welcomed and encouraged.

The Ingredients

Would you believe I have nothing better to do but make another “Letty’s Bag”?  NOT!  I have lot’s of projects that I should be working on but instead I’m making another bag.

Check it out………here’s the ingredients

Fortunately the bag goes together pretty darn fast so then I’ll be able to get back to doing the things I’m suppose to be doing instead of doing this.  Boy that sentence ran on and on, but you get the idea.

I’m heading off to fuse the fleece to the back of all the pieces (that’s my least favorite part of the process).  Then on to the sewing machine (my favorite part).

I’ll post my progress a little later on.

Hugs,

Comments are welcomed and encouraged.

What’s on my Design Wall?

Well it’s Monday and Judy over at Patchwork Times is once again asking What’s on Your Design Wall. 

This is what’s on mine.

These are the pieces needed for the project I am teaching at an upcoming Two Wacky Women retreat.  This obviously isn’t everything for the entire quilt but it is my “Story Board” that I use when I teach. 

Enjoy,

Sunset in Seal Beach

Sorry, this has absolutely nothing to do with quilting but last night my husband John and I sat out on our front patio enjoying a glass a wine and the cooler weather.  We had a fair amount of clouds in the sky so I was hoping for a lovely sunset.  I got my camera out and waited patiently.  Sure enough this is what we saw.

First this…….

 

Followed by this……..

 

And, the company and wine was just as nice.

Enjoy,

Hip Hip Hooray – The New Bag Patterns Are Now Available

I am thrilled to announce the availability of my two newest patterns, Letty’s Bag and LLB (Letty’s Little Bag).  Both bags have now been made, patterns written and tested by my dear friends Linda and Marilyn. 

Both patterns are available on the Two Wacky Women website or you can go here and it will take you directly to the pattern/bag page.

I have made a short video showing how to install the grommets.  So if your a visual person and would like to see how I do it you can check it out.  Believe me, it’s of no interest unless you’re making one of the bags with grommets. 

We also have the grommets available for sale.  However, they are not listed on the website so please contact me at robin@twowackywomen.com or Marilyn at marilyn@twowackywomen.com if your interested in purchasing them. 

Fiesta Dinnerware – I love it!

OK, so this has absolutely nothing to do with quilting but I just had to share my new dinner plate. 

After many years of using dishes that were old, chipped and just downright unattractive, I started purchasing Fiesta dishes.  I love a rainbow, so I started collecting plates, bowls, mugs and accessories in a variety of colors.  It makes for a happy dinner table and I think the food tastes better .

Yesterday I went to Macy’s to buy new, boring but needed, bras and low and behold as I waked in the door was a display of Fiesta dishes.  This may not be a new color for Fiesta but it’s new to me.  Is it lime or kiwi?  Either way two of these plates came home with me. 

Maybe to make this quilt related I should make a quilt using all the colors of my dishes.  Hmmmmm, not a bad idea.  I’ll give it some thought.

Enjoy,

Tali’s New Book Bag

Last week after I had finished my new grommet bag pattern “Letty’s Bag”, my granddaughter Natalia saw it and immediately wanted one.  Tali is a Junior at Chapman University and she thought this was the perfect bag to carry her books and “stuff” in when going to class. 

Yesterday my daughter Shelli and I headed over to M & L Fabrics looking for just the right fabric for Tali.  Tali is a very pink girly, girl.  When Shelli spotted this fabric we new it was a winner, pink and hearts.  What more could a girly girl want. 

So last night I made the bag for her.  I completed everything but the finishing touches on the strap,  I wanted to make sure it was the right length when she uses it cross body. 

She was here this evening for our weekly Sunday night dinner.  Needless to say, she was thrilled with her new bag and has already stuffed it full of all her stuff.  I told her in exchange for me making it, she had to agree to model it for me and let me take pictures. 

See the pink she is wearing?  And can you see all the bracelets?  We think she takes after my Mom who loved jewelry and always wore lots of ring and bracelets.  Tali is a very pretty and kind girl.  We’re very proud of her,

Enjoy,

LLB or Letty’s Little Bag

I had such a good time making and designing “Letty’s Bag” and I Blogged about it here.  Yesterday my husband John and I delivered the original prototype bag to Letty.  She was thrilled with it.  I think part of the fun of this bag was knowing that it was going to this very nice lady.  The pattern is completed and ready to go (but not on the website yet) but if you’re interested just drop me an email. 

After completing the large bag and using the large grommets I decided to make a smaller bag using the 1” grommets.  I really like this bag it’s just the right size.  I’s big enough to hold my wallet, sunglasses, cell phone and a few other items but not so big that stuff it so full I can barely lift it.  The strap can be used three different ways.  Doubled to go over the arm.  Pulled to one side to fit cross body, or looping one side across the back and the other side over the shoulder. 

So far I’m made two of them.  The green one was the prototype and the black one I made as I wrote the pattern.  My friends Linda and Marilyn are testing the pattern so it should be available shortly.  Let me know if your interested. 

Enjoy,