Q2 update and Q3 list...

I can't believe it's time again to be doing the finish-a-long list, but here goes...

• My list for Q2 including what progress I've made:
  
• A postage stamp style quilt using 4.5” squares- waiting to be quilted.
• A hst quilt- a bit of sewing but not much progress.
• A wonderland fabric quilt- no progress.
• A half square triangle cushion- finished!
• My unicorn retreat pouch, been cut ready to sew for a couple of years, just finished!!
• A pin badge banner- done and gifted for my sisters birthday.
• A tote bag- finished and I love it
• Scrappy pouch- kind of done. Instead I made 2 non scrappy.
• Hopefully another quilt- turns out it was the only quilt to be finished within my 3 months, see it here!
• Millie’s cool mat cover- done.
• A bag for my nanas birthday for her knitting- done and she loves it!
• A pouch for Father’s Day- just bought a gift will make for christmas instead.
• My #snappyzippouch for my phone, because it’s all ready to sew and even been floating on my desk for a month... still not done.
• My liberty cord and cork pouch, part way through sewing and it’s a shame to leave it much longer... still not done.
• A basket for my basket- done and all pins attached, I love it!

I also hosted a sew along for my latest sewing pattern, which is an embroidery pattern. I  made a banner, with stitching videos and a couple of wood burning pieces.

My full finish-a-long list (still excluding some quilts or the list would be too long):

• unicorn retreat pouch (slight cheat since I finished it now but its not in time for Q2!)
• postage stamp style cotton and steel quilt
• HST cotton and steel quilt
• snappy zip pouch for mobile
• liberty cord and cork pouch/bag
• pouch for dad
• 2 doll house fabric quilts
• makers mat
• xmas cushion
• halloween cushion
• polar bear cushion
• christmas cross stitch
• dashwood advent pouches
• christmas bunting
• floral car quilt
• dog fabric car quilt
• sugar plum/Trixie quilt
• pixie noel quilt
• tasha noel skirt
• adele dress
• my meadowland cushion
• liberty hst quilt
• memory cushions for a friend

I have organized a merrylilchristmas swap, so I have my gifts to make and buy for that.

Also I will be releasing a new Halloween inspired embroidery pattern and hosting a sew along in October! 

So, for this Q3 I will concentrate on the two cotton and steel quilts and the 2 doll house quilts. I'll also do the memory cushions, liberty pouch/bag, makers mat and Halloween projects. Hopefully the swap parcel will get started and anything else little I can do in between my quilts!

You can follow my finish a long progress on instagram following the #craftylilmousefal2020

Mx

My #100daysusingcottonandsteel project finished!

Let’s face it my #100dayproject2020 did not go entirely to plan. There's some projects on my list I intended to do and didn't, some I actually finished and a few I started, but are still in progress. So here's a run down of the projects I made...

The postage style quilt- I was super pleased to get it slightly bigger than I expected at 84 inches square. This was 441 4” squares in the end! I chose a quilting design that needs custom quilting by a long armer and there was quite a wait list, so it will be a while before I get it back to bind and finish. We will all just have to wait a while for those photos, but here is the finished top before the quilting!

The scrappy triangle cushion- this was finished early in the project. I pieced and then hand quilted it. I am super happy with how it looks and it's now in full use in the lounge. Tutorial blog for that is here!

Patchwork tote- well this was worked on a little in the middle of the 100 days but left until the last push to actually finish. I went with using only melody miller designed fabrics in the end and love the way it turned out.

Pin badge banner- made for my sisters birthday. I have been wanting to make one for ages, so I’m pleased I have made one now. I added a rainbow panel to the top for some fun colour. I also made her a key ring with the perfect selvage too!

A rainbow jelly roll quilt- so technically I didn’t use a jelly roll at all, which would have made it so much easier. Anyways, I am so happy with my new quilt. You can see and read more about it here including where to get the free pattern to make your own!

Selvedge cushions- I always wanted to use the fun selvedges from my stash but I wasn’t sure what for exactly. I took inspiration from a quilt a lady was making on instagram. I didn’t have any where near enough for a quilt, so I made a pair of cushions instead. They look so fun with my quilts and other cushion in the lounge.

I made 2 pouches- one to join in with a sew along, (although I didn’t like the original size so changed everything.) I made another where I supersized the idea to be a pencil case, again using all my own measurements and a different construction method to make it work.

A fabric bookmark using a few scraps, which I was going to give away but ended up keeping in the end... I did gift something else instead !!

I also made a few smaller projects: a #weeboxybasket (pattern by sweet cinnamon roses), 2 key rings using selvedges, which feature the fun text and prints to make them extra special for myself and mum and a simple hair ribbon, made using lawn fabric for extra softness.

It wasn't just me using my cotton and steel stash in the 100 days... My mum used my mini travel pinnie pattern (available in my Etsy store here) to make a gift for my sister.

My sister is also in the middle of using my stash to make herself a quilt too! I didn’t take photos to share but I finished cutting out my entire ice cream soda Epp quilt. I also cut out and have started a triangle quilt, more will be shared for that soon, hopefully. I also used some stash doing a giveaway of 70 precut hexies. 

So overall during the project I might not have finished everything but I feel like I got a lot made so I’m happy with that. I did however end up purchasing a few bits, mainly large cuts for backings and a few basics. This definitely wasn’t helpful in reducing my stash. In fact even though I have made so many things, including cutting out 5 quilts, I still don’t look to have used much!

I learnt I actually like doing my other hobbies still and miss them if I give something else too much attention. I also feel a little lost now my challenge is over and my focus has been removed.

I think going forward I need to set smaller goals to get the sense of achievement, but definitely make time for other activities I enjoy too. 

Mx

My rainbow jelly quilt!

I saw this rainbow jelly roll quilt pattern, designed by ruby star society, on Instagram. Ruby star society hosted a quilt along and I was so desperate to take part. Unfortunately I had too many projects started already, but I couldn’t resist any longer, especially since it is a free download from the moda fabrics website here. 

Technically I didn’t use a jelly roll at all, which would have made it so much easier. Instead I stuck with my 100 days using cotton and steel project and used some of my stashed cotton and steel prints. My sister helped me raid my stash and find the fabrics that were long enough. We then put them into block combinations with little ombré colour groups and cut the strips to size. It took a while to cut out but it was worth the extra effort. I also made more work for myself by making 2 extra blocks (20 more stripes) to make the finished quilt longer. Luckily, I wasn’t too difficult to piece together although the blocks are quite large and I wish my quilting ruler was longer for the sub cutting! I'm pleased I made it bigger though as it definitely makes it a more useable size for us as a family. 

We had a nice bit of sunshine when I finished the top so I managed to get photo in the garden before it was sent away to be quilted. I sent it away to Cath at Cumbria long arm quilting for some of her magic. Although the quilt wasn't huge, I didn't really fancy quilting it myself and I love the swirl design we picked for the quilting. The swirls are much more decorative than I could do and think they work lovely with the patchwork. Cath attached the binding to the front and I sat with a few films to hand stitch the binding to the back. 

I am so pleased with my final quilt and it is on the sofa with my catty corner quilt, looking great together!

Mx