After cutting and having a think...

Hi everyone

After my last post I decided to go with the 7" economy blocks for the belly monster's quilt :)

But after cutting (what felt like a bazillion 4" and 5" squares) and having a think...I have decided that maybe 63 economy blocks is a little ambitious for my 1st quilt?!

I'm one of those people that like quick(ish) finish, or things never get done :) So...I plan on making at least 21 economy blocks (maybe a few more) and then cutting some 7" blocks out of some favourite fabrics I've been hoarding to make up this quilt.  I even have 2 little car (cushion sized) panels that I was planing on putting into the little monsters quilt - when I get around to it - but I think I might use one for the baby's quilt and the other can be in the little monsters one. I might even make up some scrappy patchwork 7" blocks with my left overs from the economy block making process...but I'm not fully decided about this yet :)

The blocks that I've organised so far all consist of scraps from my scrap boxes or were cut from fat 1/4's.

Here are a few pictures of my progress so far:

Cutting what felt like a bazillion squares and making some into triangles...

The planned first 9 blocks...

The planned next 9 blocks...

I ran out of triangles made from 5" squares at this stage, and haven't cut any more yet...but I have quite a few 4" ones left....

So far I have actually sewn only 1/2 of one block...oh well, at least it's a start :P

And I keep interrupting myself with other projects...

Like my necessary clutch - which I plan on finishing this week, it is Selfish Sewing Week after all; And like this last minute gift that I started yesterday...

I needed to get the iron out and couldn't be bothered, so decided it could wait - hopefully I finish it in time!

Well that is what I've been up to these last few days...I'm going to be joining in here:

 and  

See you

Emma

P.S. The bulk of this post was written at 5:30am when I could't sleep due to some little monster kicking me in the belly constantly...so I'm a little tired :P and maybe a little delusional? 

I reserve the right to change my mind about the belly monsters quilt again at some point in the future :D

Some weekend finishes and my plans for selfish sewing week and beyond...

Hi everyone

The need to sew has been strong recently, maybe its the nesting instincts kicking in?

I have this very strong need to start on the little monster and the belly monsters quilts...but I'm forcing myself to finish off a few WIP (work in progresses) first :)

So this weekend I have finished off these 2 projects that I've been working on for some time now:

These are coasters for and EPP swap - I need to post these off to my partner soon and will write up a more detailed post on them at some later point too.

 

This is a quilted table runner that is to be a gift, I'm not giving it until June - but it is very nice to have it finished (finally - its been a WIP for at least 2 months!)

I have also been preparing the last part of my necessary clutch so I am able to join in with Selfish Sewing Week this week :)
I'm not sure how many "selfish" projects I will work on, but finishing this project is a MUST (its been in progress since selfish sewing week in september 2013!)

Are you going to be joining in?

Also to fix the sew-craving to start on those quilts I have been doing some maths (with hubby help - thanks honey :D )...

This is all the maths for the belly monsters quilt.

I'm still thinking about what I want to do fro the little monsters one :)

I'm going to make the belly monster an economy block cot quilt and up-cycle the little monsters woollen cot blanket and use it as the bating, so I have a set finished size that I need the quilt to be...hence all the mind bending maths :P  (well mind bending for me - thanks again hubby, you make it much easier :) )

I'd also like all the centres of each of the blocks to be mostly fussy cut so the quilt can have a sort of eye spy feel to it.

Now I just to decide on which size blocks to make, my choices are either 5" or 7" - do you have any suggestions?

By far the biggest accomplishment this weekend has been successfully moving the little monster into his big boy bedroom!  The pocket pillow I made him certainly helped :)  And now work can begin on setting up the belly monsters room - not that many changes need to be made :P
Emma

 

UPDATE BLOGLOVIN TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW ME :)

Hi everyone

A few weeks ago I changed my blog address to blog.formylittlemonster.com

Since then, none of my posts have been showing up on Bloglovin :(

I have now rectified the issue...but you will need to head over and choose to start following me again - if you want to of course :P

Just click on this link and then choose follow :)

Thanks!

I'll be back later today, with a lovely little post about my weekend accomplishments!
Emma

Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition - Here's My Entry!

Hi everyone :)

Over the last few weeks I have been working hard on my entry for the Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition 2014...

Here is the packet I started with:

And here is what I made :)

Yep, it is a comforter for the belly monster!  AND the big little monster thinks his little brother will love it and give it lots of "huggles" when he arrives in August :D

The elephant head on the comforter was made with the Ric Rac "Parsley and Beet" pattern - Jodie is so clever, I am in love with all her patterns!

I have paired the umbrella trimmings with some super soft baby blue spotty flannelette purchased 3 yrs ago from spotlight and I have added a few ribbons to the outer edges of the comforter too - with the natural fibers in the umbrella trimmings contrasting with the softness of the flannelette and the ribbons I think this will all help stimulate belly monsters sense of touch. The comforter is backed with a very cute elephant print polar fleece, purchased from spotlight last year - I want to  eventually make another hooded vest for both monsters from this fabric too!

I thought about embroidering eyes onto the elephant head, but have decided to leave it as is...I think its cute this way :)

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you like my creation!
Emma

My 5 favourites - toddler and baby items

Hi everyone :)

So a few weeks ago I started sharing my 5 favourite finds and decided it was going to be a bi-weekly event!  I will be posting my 5 favourite things on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month, the topics will vary, but the overall theme "My 5 favourites" will always be the same...So, if you would like to join me, feel free to grab a button (below) and post the links to your blog posts in the comments section each Friday (1st or 3rd of the month) - I would set up a proper linky party, but with the baby coming I'm trying to save as much money as I can :)

<div align="center">
<a href="http://blog.formylittlemonster.com/" title="For My little Monster"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/13616901684_bd76f78371_q.jpg" alt="For My little Monster" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

My computer isn't working tonight...so I'm on the iPad, so please excuse the broken links! I promise to fix them as soon as it's up and running again :) I didn't want to miss my second post in the series and today is the 3rd Friday of the month,so here are my current 5 favourite toddler and baby items:

1. These Crayon Bags are so cute! And the tutorial provided looks like it will be quite easy to follow...I should keep this in mind for next year when the Big Little Monster starts at Kindergarten and we need to buy birthday presents for his friends :P

2. This is a fantastic tutorial (http://www.birchfabrics.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/tutorial-soft-baby-booklet-by.html) for making a soft book relatively easily for your little one - I think I'm going to have to make one for the belly monster!

3. This pillow is so cute :) What little monster wouldn't love this cushion?! (http://crazylittleprojects.com/2014/01/applique-throw-pillow-project.html)

4. How gorgeous is this shark robe? I've been meaning to make the little monster a new hooded towel,so this tutorial (http://crazylittleprojects.com/2013/10/shark-baby-robe-tutorial.html) might just been the one I need to follow ;)

5. I recently purchased the PERFECT fabric for this project, so hopefully I can find the time to make one of these placemats (http://mellysews.com/2014/03/dry-erase-placemat-tutorial.html) very soon! 

Hopefully, my computer is fixed soon :)

See you all next time 

Emma

Sew Many Books - My April Project (and what I have planned for May...)

Hi everyone,

Its been a little bit quite here on the blog this week, but that is because I've been sewing rather than blogging :) If you follow me on Instagram you will have seen some pictures of what I've been sewing too - I feel like I've been quite productive, maybe the nesting instincts are kicking in?  My hubby probably hopes so...our house is a mess :P

Anyway, onto what I want to talk about today...for those of you who don't know what my Sew Many Books initiative is, have a look over this post :)

Here is a button and please feel free to share it if you would like too...

<div align="center">
<a href="http://blog.formylittlemonster.com" title="For My Little Monster"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/13079618975_c4ae82263a_b.jpg" alt="For My Little Monster" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

My first project for April - today! - was inspired by this one (pictured below) from my "Zakka Style"* book.
* denotes an affiliate link

The reason I chose this as my 1st project, is because the little monster and I looked though all my books together and he seemed most excited about this one.  Also as we are soon moving him to his "big boy bed" it will be nice for him to have something special to have in there with him...and he seemed exited to have a special pillowcase with a pocket for his bunny to go in, I therefore wont be making the matching teddy, as the Little Monster will be perfectly happy to use this pocket pillow case with his bunny toy that he has slept with since birth.

And here is my finished project!

Fabrics used: Dino Desert Footprints, in light blue AND Dino Desert Stripe, in aqua - both were Fat 1/4's purchased at Spotlight.

I have also used a blue pillow case, that was purchased at target.

I'm super happy with how this project turned out and I think the Little Monster will be too!
Hopefully it helps the transition into his "Big boy bed" go a little smoother too :)

I have the following books on my book shelf and need to choose a project for May:

More Softies Only a Mother Could Love*

Zakka Style*

Stuffed Animals*

Fleece Dolls*

Patchwork, Please!*

Sewn Toy Tales*

Sew!*

Easy Sewing Stretch Fabrics*

ScrapCrafts

(Image Source)

After having a flip though all my books, I have settled on this...

This lovely project is from my copy of "Patchwork, Please!"*

Now it is rather large project :)  AND I have never done any foundation piecing before...so instead of the full quilt, I am planing on making at least one of these lovely flowers and turn it into a cushion cover - to add to the one that is already sitting on my couch :)

Feel free to sew along with me on this project or any project of your choice, oh and you don't have to make your item exactly as it is in the book to join in - as I have shown you this month - you could make an "inspired by" project too :)

I'll be sharing my finished project on 16th MAY and I'd love to share some of your projects on my blog too so please join in!

To share your progress and projects:

Please use the tag #SewManyBooks on Instagram or Facebook

Or join the flickr group :)

If you decide to share your progress and projects via your blog please post a link to my Facebook page, email me at emma@formylittlemonster.com or leave a comment on this blog post as I would love to share your work in my special monthly blog posts.

I look forward to seeing all your projects!
Emma

 

My 5 favourites - blog tutorials

Hi everyone :)

I really enjoy sharing my favourite finds  - see these posts, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 - I probably missed a few too, so feel free to have a look through my archives :)

So I have decided to make this a bi-weekly event!  I will be posting my 5 favourite things on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month, the topics will vary, but the overall theme "My 5 favourites" will always be the same...So, if you would like to join me, feel free to grab a button (below) and post the links to your blog posts in the comments section each Friday (1st or 3rd of the month) - I would set up a proper linky party, but with the baby coming I'm trying to save as much money as I can :)

<div align="center">
<a href="http://blog.formylittlemonster.com/" title="For My little Monster"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/13616901684_bd76f78371_q.jpg" alt="For My little Monster" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

So here are my current 5 favourite blog tutorials:

1. Hidden Zipper Cushion Back - Now I have actually used this tutorial to create the back on my cushion - and I have more cushions in the works and I will be suing this tutorial again as it was soooo good!

2. This Art journal is gorgeous and would make a great gift!

3. These See Through Zipper Pouches would be so useful for my bag...I might need to make a couple before the belly monster arrives - oh no another thin to add to the ever growing list :P

4. We are going to visit some family friends soon, and I have been thinking about what I should bring? I would usually do flowers, but thought, if I have time, then maybe some of these Pot Holders might be a longer lasting gift...

5. And just because I LOVE hexies, I had to share this....Hexagon Quilt Tutorial :)

See you all soon :)
Emma

March Wrap Up and WIP Wednesday

Hi everyone :)

I'm doubling up today, so to start us off...here is my March wrap up of finished projects:

A cushion for my living room

A playhouse for my shop

Another playhouse for my shop

And, yes, another playhouse for my shop :)

So, secondly for today, here is what am I working on at the moment - Yay for WIP Wednesday :)

My stitchery for the Spring Stitching Club is coming along nicely...But I haven't made any noticeable progress since last week...because I've been busy working on other things....

I have been busily working on my entry for the Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition!

Here is what I started with...

Here is what is left...

And here is what I have made so far - its not finished yet :P  

But...I have decided to change it a bit, so today I did a little bit of unpicking - and now I'm not so sure I should have :(

I think I might have stuffed it...but I will see another day, when I get up the courage to have another look at it...

Also...I have picked out some fabrics for my #SewManyBooks project...have you?

I started out with a choice of 2 combinations....

and after a little vote on IG, settled on this one :)

Now to get started on cutting it all up and sewing it all back together :P

I'd love it if you wanted to join in!  I'll share the finished project around the middle of April, so keep your eyes peeled :)

Today I'm joining in here...

I have a special surprise for all my lovely readers next blog post too...so see you all soon :)

Emma