It’s been a while OR, what I did in my year-long hiatus from blogging

baby laying on a color quilt

It’s been quite a year in Alyson-land.  I mean, I worked, I played, I made some quilts, oh and I had a baby. The heck you say? Yes, yes, I know.  Most of you already know.  But I did kind of leave the blog hanging and I thought i would catch you up, just in case.  So here she is, Erica Beth. Born January 31, 2014 at 7:22am. I couldn’t have been more surprised when … Continue reading

My Aeroplane Bag

I took a little break from sewing but I started back up again this weekend by pattern testing Sew Sweetness’s new pattern: the Aeroplane Bag!  It is super heavy-duty and the perfect size for a large carry-on.  I can’t wait to use it on my flight to Massachusetts in a few weeks.  In fact, I couldn’t wait at all, so I used it to carry my gym clothes to work this morning.  It is PERFECT. … Continue reading

Something Different Saturday: Building a Pirate Ship

I thought I’d try a little something different…on Saturdays…Something Different Saturdays! Sewing is of course my main recreational hobby but I work on so many other projects throughout the week, I thought I would throw a little of that stuff in here too. Today’s random project: building a pirate ship! Bill is off playing a game today and has the car. It’s cold and its rainy and it’s hard to convince Caleb that it’s worthwhile … Continue reading

Sunset Star

Here’s the finished Doll Quilt Swap 13 Mini!  I decided to call it Sunset Star.  I based my color choices on a sunset photo taken by one of my friends and used the 3 Layer Star paper piecing pattern by Mommy’s Nap Time.  My partner, who I can now reveal was Paula, asked for modern quilting and bright colors.  I found out through the message boards that her favorite color was purple, but that she’d … Continue reading

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday!

I received my amazing mini from Uberstitch last night! Isn’t it beautiful? She can’t possibly have known how well it would fit in with my collection of pink-ish flowery quilts that I have received in swaps over the years. Seriously! Amazing. I need to reorganize my wall of quilts but when I do I will definitely post a picture of them all together. Continue reading

Velocity Girl Bag from Sew Sweetness

Recently, Sara of Sew Sweetness sent out a call for pattern testers for her Velocity Girl Bag.  I really enjoyed the process of working through a pattern and taking notes on where things could be improved or spots where the instructions became confusing. What a lovely bag this is, though!  I made mine from an upholstery remnant and a coordinating solid (for the lining).  There’s a small touch of coordinating fabric across the front too, … Continue reading

Birthday Bag & Matching iPad Cover

A few weeks ago I attended a special birthday party for a friend of mine.  As adults, we don’t get parties and special gifts as much as we did when we were kids, and I always think that’s sad.  Enter: The Birthday Bag. I bought this pattern several years ago in A.C.Moore – it is actually called the Serendipity Bag.  It’s meant to be used with a jelly roll and at the time, I had … Continue reading

Resolution Review: January

Since we’ve reached the end of January (ALREADY!) I thought it would be a good time to check in and take stock of what I’ve accomplished this month.  I think the resolution to blog more and sew more is going rather well…don’t you? 12 blog posts: Whew! Well, that happened… So many palettes, so little time And the winner is…! Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey…Stuff Timey Wimey Shark Block of the Month? No, that’s not right. … Continue reading

Fabric Delivery!

I got home today and found a large box waiting for me. Yes, my fabric order from the weekend had arrived!  I needed some batting & backing pieces for all the quilts that I put together recently.  I also needed some neutral cotton solids to replace the ones that I used up! But…nestled in between the necessary, albeit awesome, yardage was a perfect little pile of FQs called Mod by Annette Tatum. I know, I … Continue reading