Pillow Challenge

If you look at our planned monthly sewing challenges, you'll notice that we change them.  Often.  We were supposed to do a rickrack challenge this month, but we're busy working on inventory for a craft show.  So...we decided to change our challenge to pillows.  We're both making some pillows for the show.  And who doesn't love a good pillow.

You can see that the pillows are both really cool, but really different.  We're the same.  Even though we're twins, we're different but very cool.  Both of us.  And so are the pillows.

Mitered Square Pillow

Christmas Pillow

These pillows will be for sale this Friday and Saturday, 11/1 -11/2 at the Chris Cringle Craft Show in Champaign, IL.  If you're in the area, stop by our booth and check out our merchandise.  You might need to pick up a pillow or two.  Or some other really cool item.

We're only a week away from election day.  Maybe you've already voted, and if you haven't, be sure to do so.  It's your right and privilege and duty.  Also, remember to vote for your favorite pillow.  They're both pretty cool, if you ask me.  And I only made one of them.

Remember, your vote is confidential.  We don't know who votes.  So, just vote!

The Forgotten Sewing Challenge

Earlier this summer, we decided to enter the Quiltcon Block Challenge.  The idea was to make a modern quilt block using fabric with colors from the Quiltcon logo.  We each selected the fabrics to use in our quilt blocks and set out to make them.  One of us used solids and the other used prints.  We never show each other our sewing challenge entries until we're ready to post them on the blog.  We don't even tell each other what we're making.  We have a terrible fear that one day we'll end up making the same thing.  Twins do think alike, you know.

There's good news and bad news about this sewing challenge.  One of us mailed in our quilt block and shock of all shocks, it was selected to be included on the back of the quilt.  The other one of us forgot to mail in our quilt block.  We had planned to use the quilt blocks and one of our monthly sewing challenges and have voting.  I think it was supposed to happen in July, but somehow it never happened.  One of us started a new job that month, and the other one moved her beloved son to NYC.  We were a little preoccupied.

Since we know what the outcome was of this challenge, we don't have to hide the anonymity of which twin made which block.

I (Jan) decided to use solids for my quilt block, and I sketched out 3 designs that I thought would be really cool with the colors.  I made the first block, but it didn't meet the size requirements for the challenge.  This was an official sewing challenge with official rules.  and official winners.  Making adjustments to my first block would ruin the look I was going for.  Let me just say this...I'm not an accomplished quilt block maker.  This was my first attempt at making a real quilt block.  The first block I made looked really cool, or so I thought, but it just wasn't going to work for the challenge.  So I started on my second block using one of my other patterns.  It turned out really cool.  Here's a picture of it to prove that I really did make it.

Jan's quilt block entry that is now sewn up in the back of the Quiltcon quilt. Check it out.

The forgotten quilt block is pretty cool.  When Joy first showed it to me, I was a little jealous.  I wished I had used prints instead of solids.  And I wished I had made a cooler looking block than what I had made.  But, I guess my choices paid off in the end.  Yay!

Joy's forgotten quilt block.  Isn't it cool?!

Since we aren't competing against each other, we'll go ahead and have a second poll this month.  We'll see whose quilt block would have made it into the quilt if our voters would have been choosing their favorite quilt block.  Go ahead and vote.  We don't know who votes, and we don't care if you know who made the quilt blocks.

Christmas Sewing Challenge

I realized this morning that 3 months from today is Christmas.  Yes, can you believe it!?  So....in honor of that, our sewing challenge this month is Christmas.  Our challenge was to make a Christmas item.

The first item is a cool modern stocking.

The second item is a modern interpretation of the Christmas tree. 

 We will be involved in some craft shows this fall.  Here is our schedule:

Oct. 27 -- HCO Craft Show (Delaware, OH) -- Jan*
Nov. 2-3 -- Chris Cringle (Champaign, IL) -- Jan & Joy
Early December -- Open House at Joy's -- Joy

*Awaiting confirmation

If you're planning to attend any of these craft shows, you'll see these or similar cool items for sale.

Remember to vote for your favorite Christmas item.

Ironing Board Covers

When we were kids, our mom used to make her own ironing board covers.  She didn't sew, so here's how she did it.  She put old towels on the ironing board as a pad.  Then she put an old sheet on top and pinned it underneath to make it fit.  It worked for her.  But we decided to do something a little more modern.

We both needed a new ironing board cover, so we decided to make them.  When it's time for a new ironing board cover, you can find tacky ones.  But it's always nice to create one out of your favorite fabric.  So that's what we've done for this month's contest.

At first, we thought we would have to just wing it and make our own pattern.  But we both found patterns on sale.  Who knew they made patterns for such things!  The ironing board cover was very easy to make.  Just sew on bias tape and put in elastic.  Yup! That easy.  Unless the small safety pin opens up in the middle of trying to add the elastic.  Don't ask me how many times that happened.

Just a reminder...we don't tell which one of us made which entry.  That way, you're not voting for your favorite person.  And don't look at the background to see if you can recognize whose house it is.  You're voting for your favorite entry.

Here's the first entry.  Do you like trees?  This fabric is called Majestic Oak in Sunglow by Joel Dewberry.

Here's the second entry.  Masculine crosses.  This fabric is called Trade Blanket in Steel by Parson Gray.

If you need a new ironing board cover (and you sew), buy a couple yards of beautiful fabric and get busy.

Lap Quilt vs. Snuggie

I'll be attending a wedding next month, and I decided to make a lap quilt for the bride and groom (who will remain nameless).  If you know who they are, don't tell them what they're getting.  I really have a strong dislike for snuggies.  They're just ugly.  There...I said it.  I feel so much better. So I'm doing my part to stop slow down the sale of such ugliness.  I guess it's ok to do that, since I saw the QVC lady on Shark Tank last week.  She said snuggies are out.  And she should know.  She helped the creators sell millions of ugliness all over America.  I'm sure they're all really wealthy now.  Thanks to all of you.  I never bought one.

My niece got married last summer, so I made my first ever lap quilt for her.  It had a ROYGBIV theme with a muted back. 

Binding 

Quilt Top

Quilt Back

I decided to make one for the nephew this summer, since I survived the quilt making party last year.  And I love the crosses on this quilt.    It is just so cool.  I wonder if they would notice if I kept it for myself.

Quilt Top

Quilt Back

Binding

I almost think quilt making could become addictive.  Then I remind myself how tough it is to sew something that big in my not so big sewing machine.  But I already have fabric picked out for my next lap quilt.

I've been busy sewing up other creations the past few weeks.  Somehow, I just don't find the time to sit down and blog about it.  But here are pics of what I've been working on lately. Christmas stockings in June.  Can you believe it?!  And more reversible totes.

Christmas Stockings

We'll be back with our next sewing challenge in the near future.  Stay tuned for it!!!

Elastic Project

If you love pink, you're going to love our entries for this month's elastic project.  We don't tell each other what we're making until we send each other our photos.  Lo and behold, we both made pink girly items.

We didn't make the same thing, although that's one of our fears.  But...we each made something for a little girl.  A ruffled skirt with elastic waist for a 5 year old girl.  She'll be pretty in pink.  And then we have a floral headband for a baby girl.  Great minds almost think alike.

Pretty in pink skirt.  Love it!  Would it look good on someone my age??? We'll never know.

After I made this cute little headband, I wanted to try it on.  But it just wouldn't fit.  I guess you can call me bigheaded.

Since this is an elastic contest, I wanted to make sure you could see the elastic up close.  And not just the ruffles.  After all, last month was the ruffle contest.  And these are pre-made ruffles.

You will be able to see our June contest photos very soon.  We have entered the Umbrella Prints contest (it's a real contest, not a made up one like ours is).  And there are actual prizes.  You'll be able to vote for your favorites in the real contest in June.  You'll have to have a Pinterest account, so if you don't have one sign up now.  You can't vote unless you're on Pinterest.  And once you're on it, you'll be addicted for life.  Trust me.

For this cute little flower headband, I found the pattern in an apron pattern that I want to make.  The flower could go on the apron, but I thought it would look very pretty sitting on the head of a little baby girl.  Not my baby girl.  But someone else's.  

Be sure to vote for your favorite elastic project.  Don't worry.  Neither of us tried on these items.  They're only safe for small children.

I just want to remind you that the voting is anonymous.  We can't see who you vote for, so just vote!  Don't be shy!!!

And once again, we're not telling you which one of us made which item.  You just choose the one you like the best.  But I bet it will be pink.

Baby Gifts

I'm getting my hair cut tonight.  The girl who cuts my hair is expecting identical twin girls in July.  I'm taking her baby gift to her tonight, just in case those girls decide to come early.  Way early.  I know their mom is afraid that's going to happen.  She already has 2 girls, ages 10 and 12.  And now she's having 2 more.  I'm sure her husband is going to love all that estrogen in the house.  He needs a man cave, for sure.

I found this cute owl pattern and just had to make a couple for the girls.  For some reason, owls seem to be a hit with people.  I've never figured out why, but my motto today is "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em".  So I made owls.

And I made owls.  Christmas is less than 8 months away, so I've started working on my inventory for the Chris Cringle show that we're in in November.  It's never too early to start preparing for that.  So I made a few extra owls to take along with me.

We're busy working on our elastic project for our May sewing challenge.  I think mine is going to be really cute, if I can figure out how to make it.  I don't know why I pick things to make and then have to create my own pattern.  Why do I do that to myself?

The pics of our elastic challenge will be posted in a couple more weeks.  Stay tuned for more of our sewing endeavors.