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Sunday, March 4, 2012

This Week

Granny Square Table Topper by jenib320
Granny Square Table Topper, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Lots and lots of crafting happened this week. We got a bunch of snow late in the week, and being cozy and stuck inside tends to amp up my motivation! My favorite finish of this week is definitely my table topper! These squares are not as quick to sew up as traditional patchwork, but still took relatively little time to put together. I used Jolene's granny square quilt block tutorial, using 1.5" squares instead of 2.5". 

Granny Square Table Topper by jenib320
Granny Square Table Topper, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
I added a few more fabrics to my original stack, giving me 8 fabrics in each of 6 colors.  For the background I used Quilter's Linen in I *think* natural (I must write done what colors get cut next time I buy some!).  It's backed in an Amy Butler Soul Blossoms print and bound in the focus fabric from Domestic Bliss by Liz Scott.  Don't look too close at the borders, it ended up a bit wonky! Thankfully, it looks great in it's new home next to the futon! :)

Wiksten Tank by jenib320
Wiksten Tank, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
On Friday I decided to pull out the Wiksten Tank pattern by Jenny Gordy again, this time using a blue gingham fabric I thrifted when my Mom visited.  This is now my fourth tank from this pattern, and I'm just getting started. It's so quick and easy to whip up and fits great too.  You can now purchase the Tank and Tova patterns in paper or downloadable versions here!

Bow Tie Top by jenib320
Bow Tie Top, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
I headed to Joanns this morning to pick up a couple Simplicity patterns I've had my eye on. Since I had lots of coupons I sifted through my garment sewing pinterest board and found this Simple Bow Tie Top tutorial I had pinned a while back. This seemed the perfect opportunity to pick up some jersey and silk on sale.  I came straight home and sewed it up. So simple, but I think the result is quite nice.  I'm excited to wear it this summer! I can't resist things with giant bows!

Retro Flower Mini Top by jenib320
Retro Flower Mini Top, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
In between everything else, I finally sat down and tried out Christina's Retro Flowers Quilt Pattern. I set my goal of one block and was amazed by how easily it came together. I don't have a lot of experience sewing curves, but this block made me feel like a pro! The techniques used to achieve precision are awesome. Now I'm thinking I might need to make a whole quilt! (Fabrics are Rawhide by Moda, Quilter's Linen in Natural, La Petite Ecole by French General)

Nametag by jenib320
Nametag, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
This month for the Madison Modern Quilt Guild we decided to make name tags for ourselves. I still had one from Sewing Summit, but figured I could use another one! I used more Quilter's Linen (can you tell I'm in love with this stuff?) and some Little Folks voile scraps!

If you're a local Madison quilter interested in joining, check us out on Facebook!

Wintery Wisconsin by jenib320
Wintery Wisconsin, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
A snowy view of this week's storm!

George by jenib320
George, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
George! He is working hard shedding at the moment. His new fur is SO soft!

Today I love the..
Smell of: Lavender dryer sheets
Sound of: Harry Potter 6
Taste of: Sesame seed bagel
Sight of: Sun
Feel of: Wool socks

Good Things about Today:
-  Productive day!
- Chocolate!
- My handmade wardrobe is growing!
- George :)

29 comments :

  1. I always love seeing pics of George... he is so cute. Now that he is shedding, do you brush him, like I do my cats?

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  2. Okay, as a former Minnesotan who is living in the snow-free South, I have to tell you that your snow-covered fur tree picture stabbed me in the heart with longing for a "real" winter. It's so majestic after a snowfall like that, the drama of the white snow highlighting dark, bare branches and the fresh, unspoiled beauty of a blanket of snow without footsteps or tire tracks. I know you're freezing your butt off, but I hope you appreciate the beauty of your snow!

    Second, I LOVE your bow tie top! I bought something very similar from Anthropologie last summer even though it wasn't exactly the right size, and I'm so excited to try making one that actually FITS me now that you've shared the tutorial! Thank you! Every time I read your blog, I'm inspired to make something.

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  3. I adore your granny square table topper. I have seen this block across blog land and love your little version!

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  4. Wow you've been up to a lot this week!! Love the granny squares, I did wonder if anyone had used any other colour but white for the backgrounds.
    Love the tank and the the top they are so cute!
    Love that snow scene! It's probably just as well all the snow is there and not here. George is soo adorable!!

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  5. Your granny table topper is SO cute!! I love that you made the blocks smaller.

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  6. Your table topper looks divine! Your retro block looks great, too. I love the look of that block, but have yet to try it out.

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  7. I adore the pictures of the snow, George is so cute, I used to have a George type rabbit many years ago, His name was sooty. The Granny square topper is great too.

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  8. That bow tie top is gorgeous and looks like it would cost a bundle at a boutique. I'm still plugging along reading Harry Potter 4. Just got the Single Girl and Point Me patterns from Denyse Schmidt. Think I need to find some quilters linen and wondering whether to use batiks or some 10" Kaffe Fassett blocks for the triangles on Point Me. I want to use that pattern to make a quilt for my 28 year old nephew and his girlfriend who sold everything and are on a trip around the world for a year. Love to George Bunny!

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  9. gorgeous snow!
    Love the purple shirt too... so pretty. And the nametag, and the quilt block, and the runner...

    great projects Jeni!

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  10. Jeni
    I have been looking into purchasing the pattern for the wiksten top, did you purchase the paper pattern or the e-
    Pattern?
    Love all the inspiration.
    Julie

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  11. Cute minis and adorable George!!! TFS
    ~Terry~

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  12. I especially love your Granny Square Table Topper and gingham tank! Would love to see you do a tutorial on knits/sewing clothes sometime.

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  13. Ah, I'm currently waiting for all the pages to print. So excited to try this pattern!

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  14. Oooh!! I'm getting a little jealous of your cute new wardrobe!

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  15. sweeet, Jeni! looks like a great week from here...hope you have another just like it:)

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  16. wow i'm in love with you table runner! up on my to do list thank's for the inspiration.

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  17. I adore the bow-tie top! The purple is great!

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  18. You have been so productive! I really do love all your tanks and i'm glad they are PDF. I went to order the pattern last week and had to rethink that with the price. I'm sure it's worth every penny, but so hard to spend that much on a pattern right now. Very happy to have a PDF option. :) I love your Retro Flower block and I think you should do a whole quilt! I could definitely see a rainbow of colored flowers in a top you make. :)

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  19. Love your wee table topper and retro flower

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  20. Wow, you always post the best stuff! Everything looks amazing - I'm so inspired now! George is the cutest and I always love seeing him.

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  21. Gaah! The tank pattern is now downloadable for $8.50! I am so there :-) Love me a good summer tank... and handmade! Yay!!! The jersey bowtie tank looks to-die-for too... must. make.
    Thanks for those great links!

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  22. Love it, we made similar bow tie tops in the 1970's. So glad to see them back again, always a favortie for me. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  23. I LOVE the granny squares! And I love the name tag too. I want to make a name tag for myself for the next Sewing Summit. Does your guild have a tutorial? Then again I already have a design in mind for one! LOL

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  24. everything that you made this week is beautiful, but that winter scene with the snow wins my vote this week!

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  25. I love that bow top, such a gorgeous colour combination (but I would expect nothing less :p ).
    Both me and my sister have made that version before, mine was made with a bit less material than hers and has two colours similar to yours.

    But hers is all pink and can be seen here: http://beadsandbarnacles.blogspot.com/2011/11/before-i-blogged-pink-top.html

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  26. Jeni, they look so great! I've pinned that bow-tie top too... it looks so cute!

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  27. So many fun things in this post! Your two new tops are lovely. Your Retro Flowers block is awesome! I love the color combo, and your curves look great! Hi, George!

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  28. Hey - on instagram you mentioned an issue with the back of the neck on this pattern, I'm having the same issue. How did you resolve it?

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