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

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

Birdie Key Fob

Here we are, another swap! This one is for the RATZ (Rapid & Tiny Zakka) Swap. May was Key Fob month. Using the pattern found at BDDesigns Owls and More… I created this little key fob for my partner.  I sure hope she likes it! The pattern is not in English, but she did make a photo tutorial. Of course I have my own notes…I ended up tracing the pattern straight from my computer screen – it printed … Continue reading

Doll Quilt Swap 12 (DQS12)

I was so excited to join this swap.  What fun!  I got a secret partner who a got to internet stalk to figure out her likes and dislikes.  Then I got to make her a quilt, knowing all the while that someone was doing the same for me. My stalkee was Liz from oh sew liz.  From my stalking I discerned that she liked pink, circles, scrapiness, and that she had two sons.  Having a … Continue reading

Little baby blue

Check it out! Number and 1 and number 2 of my nanoSEWmo projects! The pattern for this baby quilt and pillow is a Wonky Rail Fence, using the Stack-and-Whack method. The backing material is a solid light blue that I had on hand.  I also used a white/blue ombre rayon thread for quilting.  It adds some extra sparkle to the quilt, I think. The pillow has a simple ruffle around the edge and an envelope style back. … Continue reading

Monster Work in Progress

Another To-Do list project: Monster Baby Quilt!  No, not an extra large baby quilt, a baby quilt with monsters!  I bought these monster “patches” from Jennifer of the Cotton Monster at Crafty Bastards last year.  I originally intended to make a new quilt for Caleb, but I can barely get that boy to sleep under a sheet these days, let alone a quilt.  I have about a bazillion friends who are pregnant or who have had babies recently, so Monster … Continue reading

Holiday Gifts: Necktie

Pirate ship Necktie Originally uploaded by alyson_olander Strictly speaking, this was not a holiday gift.  My dad’s birthday falls just a few days prior to Christmas and, because I understand how much it must suck to get a load of Christmas ‘n’ birthday combined gifts each year, I make a concerted effort to give him one gift for each. This year’s birthday gift was a pirate ship necktie. Now, be honest, a necktie is kind of … Continue reading

Wolf Moon – complete!

Uploaded by alyson_olander Snow Moon, Cold Moon, Quiet Moon abide, Let protection and strength grow inside, Inanna, Sarasvati, Hera, and Sinn, Sew new beginnings deep within. —Dallas Jennifer Cobb In my research about the Wolf Moon, this rite struck me as just perfect to begin my year long full moon journal quilting adventure. The full moon on the night in question was shrouded in clouds, but the moon shown through, creating these amazing rings of … Continue reading

New clothes for me!

I’ve been working on this new blazer/jacket for a couple weeks now. It’s really cute, but it’s also sort of a pain in the butt. I haven’t posted about it yet because I’m still working on the flippin’ pintucks. Plus I think I’m out of interfacing. But it really is cute. Really. See? Cute. Mine is going to be in this greyish-periwinklish wool/cashmere blend, with vintage silver-backed glass buttons. A while back (like six months … Continue reading