A Peek at Decemeber

Just a Peek....

Past Projects Here

Snow is on the ground...and it is almost December 1st. I have been busy sewing ( and eating turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie!) this week.   But it also means that our December 2014 ATPSA projects are just around the corner. 

OK, since you have twisted my arm, I will give you a tiny  peek at one of my projects that I'll be sharing with you....  

A little peek at my  project from  the digital magazine  -
Paper Piecing 1/4 "  by Quilt Art Designs

Yes, that right... you are looking at a paper pieced pattern and  some white

 " Minkie  Dimple Dot  - like "  fabric !

Here's the link  for the patterns in the magazine ....  
                                        Paper Piecing 1/4"  Digital Magazine!   

  There are lots of holiday patterns in this issue!

Click here

We will be having lots of ideas for fun December sewing... maybe you can join in and make something along with us!

I'm off to my sewing room!

Pattern provided by QAD Publishing

Nordic Cuteness

Nordic Mini Quilt Along

The Nordic Mini QAL

Look what Quilt Along is going on at Julie Cefalu's blog,  The Crafty Quilter! 

                                            A Nordic Mini Quilt Along!!   

 I was hooked as soon as I saw these cute little snowflake blocks, and ran to find some red and white fabric.
It is a mini quilt, that will meaure 14 1/2 inches square,  and will have 4  rows.

I had such fun making the  Half Squre Triangles for these little blocks.  There are a few reasons for this...

• I love that they are going to be 4 3/4  inch square blocks
• I have been testing some adorable quilt patterns, using many HST, and have gotten much better making those HST  ( Elaine, Summercrafter is designing up cuteness!)
• I used the tiny LocBloc ruler, that make trimming HSTs  so easy and accurate.  ( I splurged awhile back and got a set ranging from 1 1/2 in to 6 1/2 in.  I LOVE THEM!)

Trimming to 1 1/2 inches with the Bloc Loc Ruler

Julie's tutorial is excellent, and before I knew it, I had one block finished.  I had to take my time pressing the seams open, but it was well worth the extra step.  I did not use steam!  

My first block   in the Nordic Mini Quilt     not perfect, but cute

Row 1                         by Susie's Sunroom

Think you have a bit of time to fit  squeeze in a Nordic mini?   Hop on over to The Crafty Quilter for the tutorial!  Be sure to  use the hashtag  #nordicminiqal  on IG to post your blocks.   I am on IG  SusiesSunroom

These little blocks warm my heart... even on the coldest winter day!  I can't wait to see what we will be making next week!

I'm off to my sewing room!

Christmas Candle

Paper Pieced Christmas Candle

I had fun starting to make a few Christmas decorations. The Across The Pond Sew Along "girls"  have found some really cut projects to share with you, starting December 1 !
(The Patchsmith will be launching a new FREE pattern, too!!

I wanted to make this Christmas Candle block the moment I saw it!    It is paper pieced.
Christmas Candle pattern ~
                    by Janeen,  from Quilt Art Designs' paper piecing magazine

" Paper Piecing 1/4"   Digital Magazine "

I knew that I wanted to  be very organized before I began sewing the candle.  There are a lot of pieces in the pattern.
After I chose my red and gold fabrics, I got out my colored pencils,  and assigned  pencil colors to each fabric.  Labeling fabrics and coloring the pieces can really minimize my  "human operator" errors !

Work in progress..... Christmas Candle   design by Quilt Art Designs

I tried different background fabrics.... and decided to use this black and white geometric.
I was hoping it would give a feeling like the candle was sitting in front of a church stained glass window...
My hubby suggested adding a candle flame to it.  I found some woven gold  fabric and fused it on.  (ironing with a cooler iron and  a silicon sheet)

Christmas Candle block  by Quilt Art Designs  

The unfinished block is 6 1/4 inches x 6 1/4 inches.  This is a great sized block for making tea towels or pot holders or mug rugs.   I made mine into a mini wallhanging.

Christmas Candle      made by Susie's Sunroom

The green sash ( 1 1/2 " wide ) , and black binding gives it a "Christmas Eve at church" feel...

There are more fall holiday patterns in  this Paper Piecing 1/4" Digital Magazine.  Go on over to Janeen's Quilt Art Designs blog  to see more  patterns!

I'm off to my sewing room!

I am linking up at:   Paper Piecing Party @ Quilt Art Designs  and 
                            Can I Get a Whoop! Whoop! @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict   and
                                  Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Fort Worth Fabrics Studio

November Patchique' Blocks

November Patchique' Blocks

Yesterday I found some time to make four Patchique' blocks.  What a pleasure that was! (I did do "chores" in between stitching.  )   It had been about a month since I made any Patchique' blocks, and I enjoyed picking out what colors that  I thought my future quilt would need. 

Block # 46:  Chigai kaku (which means Different angles)

Block #46   from Japanese Taupe Quilts  by Susan Briscoe

This block has 4 partial seams in it.  But, Amanda, The Patchsmith, explained how she made her block, and I forged my way through it!  The center block section was easy.  It did take me awhile  a half an hour to figure out how to connect the left and right sections, but I did it!  

My block #46-

Block #46    Different angles   by Susie's Sunroom

Next ... block #113:   Tessen ( which means Chinese clematis)

Block #113  From Japanese Taupe Quilts by Susan Briscoe

This was a quick and easy applique' block to make.  I wanted to feature blue and browns on this block.  I used a brown embroidery thread  (Rayon Madeira thread)  to emphasize the  blanket stitch around the edges of the applique' .    I will add some embroidery  on the flower center, after I make the blocks into a quilt top.

Block #113   Chinese clematis   by Susie's Sunroom

The third block- #60  Yotsume guruma (which means Quadruple wheel)

Block #60   from Japanese Taupe Quilts by Susan Briscoe

Wait a minute...Do you hear that pounding??!!  No, it's not a helicopter hovering over your roof ...
That's my heart racing.... I discovered that this block is a PINWHEEL.... simply disguised by the name  " Yotsume guruma or quadruple wheel " !!!  Amanda says it is a "flying kite."  I like that name, too!

Yay!    I spent a lot of time picking out some of my favorite fabrics to make this block.
And here is my sweet  little pinwheel-

Block #60   Quadruple wheel     by Susie's Sunroom

I love this pattern and combination.    Should I use it for pillows  or corners if I need to make my quilt bigger??

The last block for today:   Block #121   Kaku kuyo  (which means nine squares)

Block #121  from Japanese Taupe Quilts  by Susan Briscoe

Here is my block... with the familiar nine patch square!

Block #121 Nine squares   by Susie's Sunroom

I think of moons floating in the night sky when I see mine.   
And this is what they look like all together....

By Susie's Sunroom

My Patchique' Pile....I may or may not have done a Happy Dance through them....

Amanda says we have 2 more blocks to do.  I peeked, and the patchwork one has lots of teeny pieces...  better get out my seam ripper now!!

I'm off to my sewing room!

Fall Leaf Tea Towel

Fall Leaf Paper Piecing

I am really excited to tell you some bloggy news ...  
                                        Susie's Sunroom has a advertiser!

I am pleased to introduce : 


  Paper Piecing 1/4"  Digital Magazine     

Paper Piecing 1/4" is a digital magazine, filled with  patterns, and more! 
 You can find  "  articles about creative artists with modern and innovative ideas for you to try .  There will be  paper piecing blocks for those new to paper piecing as well as those looking for something of a challenge. "

     

Click here to go to the Paper Piecing 1/4" magazine

Janeen,  a talented artist and paper piece pattern designer,   will be providing me with some of her awesome paper pieced patterns , from  her digital magazine !
And I will be sharing projects and ideas with you! 

Since the  patterns are digital... you know what that means?!   Yep .... instant download gratification when the mood hits you to make a pattern !      (You'll want to go on over to  Paper Piecing 1/4"  magazine  and Quilt Art Designs  blog to see all of the paper piecing patterns there!!) 


Now that brings me to a fun project that I made in an evening...                                

Falling leaves are drifting around everywhere. I love watching them drift off of the trees , while I sew.
When  I saw this   6 inch Leaf paper pieced  pattern , I knew that I wanted to make a block immediately!

Leaf 6 "   out Quilt Art Designs  Paper Piecing 1/4 " digital magazine  Issue 3

I went to my modest little fabric stash and dug out some fall colored fabrics.  
I decided to choose some ' more  traditional fabrics" , and even use a homespun fabric for the background.    I wanted to see what  "mixing it up" a bit would look like  ...a modern pattern design made with traditional fabrics!

Leaf 6 "   pattern from issue 3  Paper Piecing 1/4"

This pattern would be perfect for anyone new to paper piecing! 

I liked how the leaf block turned out, and decided to make it into a tea towel .  I  found my muslin fabric, and used my "go to"  tea towel  pattern.  (Remember my appliqued apple towel?)

My leaf towel in the kitchen

In my powder room

I really like mixing modern and traditional ...  and sometimes  throwing in some primitive.
How about you?  Do you ever "mix it up"  ??

I'm off to my sewing room!

I am linking up at:    Paper Piecing Party @ Quilt Art Designs  and
                               Sew Darn Crafty @ Sew Many Ways  and
                               TGIFFriday @ Quokka Quilts

So long, Sew Kitschy!

My Finished Sew Kitschy BoM!

Well, another sewing year has just flown by!  All nine paper pieced  "Sew Kitschy " blocks are completed.

Here's a look at the blocks....

Sew Kitschy BoM   designed by Kristy  of Quiet Play blog

And here are my nine completed blocks....

My Sew Kitschy BoMs     by Susie's Sunroom

I decided to make a mini wallhanging, to place on the wall in my sewing room.

Sew Kitschy BoM Wallhanging    

Patterns-   by Kristy of Quiet Play blog  
                paper pieced pattern bundle is available for purchase on Quiet Play Craftsy                                                                    
Finished size-  34 " x 34 "
Batting-  Warm and Natural 
Sashing- 2 inches wide before sewing

Sew Kitschy Blocks   by Susie's Sunroom

I added a few details ...  

I embroidered " Susie's Cookies  2014 " on the cookie jar  (by machine)-

I put two little red buttons on the drawers in Betty's kitchen-

I used aqua polka dotted fabric for the back, and used a decorative stitch to sew a label to the backing.

I like the aqua and white binding...

One of my favorite blocks... the teapot

I really love this bowl and spoon block, too!

I used 2 command hooks (3M) to hang the wallhanging on my sunroom wall....

It is hanging  beside last year's BoM,   And Sew On  -

Sew Kitschy BoM  and  And Sew On BoM            Susie's Sunroom

I can't wait to see what Kristy is designing for next year's  BoM !

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linking up at:      Sew Kitschy Round Up @ Quiet Play  and
                       Paper Piecing Party    @ Quilt Art Designs  and
                          Can I Get a Whoop! Whoop! @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict