Great Start to 2011

Is anyone else still dumbfounded that it's actually 2011? Crazy isn't it?

Besides the fact that my back went out (old injury) and I can barely move, I've gotten a lot accomplished.

I wanted to make a handbag the other day and I had two flat quarters I bought a while back and didn't know what I was going to do with them since my dog, Max, is a boy. I had tortured him enough recently...

Can you see the shame? He looks so stinkin cute though!!

When my daughter seen them she squealed and asked for a purse to carry her Littlest Pet Shop animals (I so can't wait for her to stop liking those). This is what I came up with eyeballing it. She loves it and that's all that matters, but I'm kinda proud of myself for making it in an hour without a pattern. I wanted to put a zipper in it, but I messed my chance up so I put a magnetic clasp instead.

Other than that, this is a sneak peek at a quilt I'm working on for my cousin's baby girls first birthday. I hope to get it done by the weekend and I'm going to push it even faster if I can get my back feeling better.

Another goal I'm adding for 2011....No more staying up all night and taking really bad lighting pics. I'm going to try to get to bed by at least midnight every night and do my sewing during the day while the kids are at school.

Oh, speaking of school, I'm going to take a few of my quilts at different stages to my second graders class tomorrow. This week they did a story on piecing quilts and I offered to show the kids first hand how it's done. I'm a little nervous. More than anything, I don't want to embarrass my sweet boy. I will just have to resist the urge to kiss his sweet little cheeks in front of everyone! Wish me luck!

2011 Sewing Goals

1. Giant Pinwheel Quilt
2. Wonky Star Quilt
3. Tumbler Quilt
4. Table Placemats
5. Embroidery Owls Quilt
6. Reupholster the Wing back Chair
7. At least one purse per month.
8. Coin Stacks Quilt
9. Hourglass Quilt
10. At least one other quilt.

That's all I have right now. I didn't do well on last years list, but I also had two surgeries and was sick for months. Hopefully this year will be much better! I think 7 quilts and 12 purses is a good start! :) Eventually I would like to have a quilt for every season and every holiday.

What did you get done in 2010 and what are your sewing goals for 2011?

Owl Be Ready

Excuse my very lame attempt at using the word "owl" in the title. I've been sewing a lot lately, getting a ton of use out of my Christmas present. (Sewing machine).

It was my first time trying placemats and potholders. I have the potholders finished, though the bias tape doesn't look spectacular, I think they turned out cute and will be very useful.

Aren't these potholders adorable? I love the little guys and the wood backing. I can't wait to put them in my kitchen and start using them. Trust me, in my kitchen they will have marinara stains on them by the weeks end!

These are the unfinished placemats. Just like the potholders I put the owl pattern on the face and the wood on the backing. I did cut out the owls and sewed them on the backing just for a little extra something. I'm seriously IN LOVE with them. I want to have a dinner party just so people can see them.

As soon as I buy wider bias tape I will finish these and post the pics. I can't wait.

Have you been doing any projects or making any lists for 2011? My 2010 goals were a HUGE bust, but that's not going to stop me from making a new one and trying again.