Spring is Around the Corner - the beginning of a New Year!

I have been "holed up" in my studio for the last few nights now.  Yes, even last night for a couple of hours.  I can't help but think that spring is around the corner when I am working with such spring themed fabrics.  That is, until I peek my head out the window to a foot of snow on the ground.  Here is a view of "Holly Toppers Gone Spring".  This is a sample for a class I am teaching.  The colours just make me smile.

This morning is the start of a New Year.  I have so much to be thankful for - family, dear friends, health and overwhelming inspiration around me to continue sketching and taking these designs to finished projects.  So here is to seeing the inspiration around us this year!

Caravan Tote - All Done

I finished this tote on Sunday.  Good thing as it is a Christmas gift. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.  This is a project that you work at over time as it is a lot of detailed sewing.  It isn't hard, just time consuming.

Inside the zippered pocket is a series of pockets.  With contrasting fabric it really shows off your work.

One Hour Basket - Maybe it is a Two hour Basket

The basket swap at the Calgary Modern Quilt Guild was a tremendous success.  We had over 40 baskets to swap this past Thursday evening.  Fun was had by all.  Here is my basket for the swap all done!  Downtown Abby fabrics with bright orange ric rac.  My good friend almost couldn't contain herself when it was her turn to pick out a basket and this one was still available.  She had been eyeing the basket for over 2 weeks since I had posted it on Instagram.  She was convinced it would be hers for quite some time.

Tonight I tackled another basket with the view to make it as the tutorial had intended.  The only minor deviation from the pattern was to interface the lining as well as put fuseable fleece in the outside panels.  A quick gift - fill it with a new card game, popcorn and some nice napkins for a family game night.  

One Hour Basket - Turned into 3 Hour Basket

Yes, it truly is a One Hour Basket unless, the mind starts to drift to "What would it look like if,...."  So a bit of giant ric rac and Lo and behold you are one hour into a 3 hour basket.  This is work in progress for the Calgary Modern Quilt Guild swap project.

Holly Easter

Tis the season of the sewing machines in overdrive.  As I spent the last two evenings madly working Christmas gifts, my mind kept drifting to the stack of happy "Easter" fabrics to the left of my machine.  What would "Holly Toppers" gone Easter look like?  Well in the wee hours this morning I couldn't resist playing on my iPad to plan out "Holly Easter".  The next project!

Holly Toppers gone neutral

I had a lovely afternoon stitching an alternative color way for a dual purpose - Holly Toppers class sample and part of a Christmas present.  After this color way, I'm going to try Easter themed colours.  

Holly Toppers - my new pattern Done!

Excited to have completed this pattern. Holly Toppers is a scrap friendly table topper that can be made in three sizes.  Six strip sets will make the large table topper (27" x 63") or both the small table topper (27" x 45") and square topper (27").  

Raid your stash to complete these toppers in traditional Christmas colors or change it up for other seasons or decors.  

Thrilled, I have completed my goal to have my second pattern done by year end!  That is a first, a goal for a year completed prior to December 31st.