Charity Quilting

I really filled up my bag at the last Annapolis Quilts for Kids. I think I counted 12 or 13 quilts.

These little quilts are quick to quilt and make a big impact on the children who receive them.

You can support Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I think I'll start including this link in future posts.

Here is the EpochConverter for 2019.

2019 Charity Quilt Count: 38

Crochet Starburst Poncho

 I shared the beginnings of the Starburst Poncho in early June. 

I've been slowly working on it and finished it on Saturday. 

It wasn't quite a poncho after the first full Caron Big Cake, so kept going. 

And going. 

 When I couldn't finish another row, I bound off an called it done. This is no small poncho. With four points, it can be worn with two points in the front and two in the back.

Or, center opposite points in the front and the back. I think this is way I would prefer to wear it. It is a great big monster of a poncho and a thing of beauty.

If you are more of a shawl person, I used the Starburst Shawl design from Fiber Spider to create the poncho. Fiber Spider's YouTube tutorials are great for visual learners.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Crochet hooks: Clover Crochet Hook Set (10 hooks)
Caron Big Cakes Self Striping Yarn

Idea Pouch

I've been looking at this pattern from Michelle Patterns for a while. I don't know that I need a pouch to hold a composition book and pens but I wanted to make the Idea Pouch.

Michelle Patterns are easy to follow and this one includes templates for all the pattern pieces. I prefer a cutting list to pattern templates but I know there are many people out there that prefer pattern templates. I really liked that the pattern included directions for cutting the excess interfacing in seams. I always trim the interfacing 1/4" smaller than the pattern pieces, but this helps reduce the bulk where seams stack up. 

Since I was working from my stash, I used four different fabrics. I had to piece one of the lining pieces because of this, but no one will see that seam down inside the main pocket. 

I also pieced part of the bag outer. This was mostly because I didn't plan ahead and cut the front panel first. If I had cut them in a different order the piecing would have been hidden or less noticeable. 

The Idea Pouch holds one or two composition notebooks and has nine slots for pens and pencils. I used a hair tie and a pair of buttons for a closure. 

This was a great project with a great finish. I'm glad I decided to make it. I have some ideas on how I could make a few hacks to make it more specific to my needs.

Pattern: Idea Pouch from Michelle Patterns.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Multipurpose Sewing Clips
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Fiskars Pinking Shears
Juki TL-2010Q
Heat'n Bond Non-Woven Lightweight Fusible Interfacing

Pellon SF101 Woven Fusible Interfacing

Project Bag Testing

I've seen several different project bags for knitters and crocheters and wanted to try something new. Like any design, the first one is always the hardest. I made some notes and got busy.

I cut out my bag panels and interfacing. 

Then, I fused the interfacing and pressed all the various bits. 

I almost failed to attach the bag handle before sewing the bag outer to the bag lining pieces and the drawstring channel. 

I used some inspiration from the It's a Cinch Bag pattern from Patterns for Pirates. I liked how the drawstring channel was attached making for a very nicely finished bag and not too much bulk when the bag is pulled closed. You can see my Cinch Bag in this post from May 2019. Maybe I should have started with cutting sizes closer to that pattern for this bag. That might have gotten me closer to what I want.

It seems I have created a super-sized bag. This is not at all what I was aiming for. Some people might say this is a failure but it isn't. I learned several things. 

• the cutting of outer and lining fabric is perfect
• the cutting of the interfacing and how well that interfacing works for this project is perfect
• the drawstring is fine, but I think a cord instead of a fabric drawstring will work better for this bag
• I'm super pleased with the drawstring lock color and that I decided to use one
• the bag wrist strap seemed weird, but it worked out great
• overall, the construction is spot-on
• it is just too darn big. I need to size down the bag a bit so it isn't so big you could put an entire sweater inside
• designing is hard, but worth it

I'm always a little sad when someone shares their project and says "what a waste of fabric". I cannot express to you how much creativity is NOT a waste. Did you learn something? I know I learn something with most projects. Sometimes I learn that I did something wrong. Often more things went right. Learning, practicing, and getting better at what you do is never a waste of time or materials. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q
Clover Bodkin
Bias Tape Maker
Heat'n Bond Non-Woven Lightweight Fusible Interfacing

Pellon SF101 Woven Fusible Interfacing

Game Night Play Mat

We get together with friends a couple times a month to play games like Evolution from North Star Games.

Or Space Base from AEG. We found the cards weren't very easy to pick up from the surface of the table. I wanted a neoprene play mat to help cards from slipping away and to generally make things easier to pick up. I did some searching around the web and Amazon and found a 3 foot by 4 foot neoprene play mat that was perfect for our dining room table. If you play board games and want something to cover your play surface this is a great solution.

Games:
Space Base from AEG
Evolution from North Star Game

Play mat:
3 foot by 4 foot neoprene play mat

Quilts by the Bay

I try to attend a few local quilt shows a year. The closer the show is to my house, the more likely I am to attend. The Annapolis Quilt Guild's Quilts by the Bay is one of my favorites. 

There are often used tools you can pick up, like this embroidery machine for about half the original price. (Similar to this one available from Amazon.) 

Or homemade treats such as this cornucopia of fudge. There were so many flavors!

It was great to see a trio of Good Fortune quilts hanging together. From the left: quilt-makers Marilyn O'Loughlin, Gail M. Lee, and Brenda Shriner. While the mystery quilt isn't still running, you can buy a copy of the pattern directly from Bonnie Hunter on her Quiltville website. 

I couldn't resist buying a few things. So much for my fabric diet. 

I've been eyeing the Star Storm Quilt pattern from Victoria Findlay Wolfe for a while now. This was a great opportunity to support a local shop that is outside my normal travel distance and pick up this fun pattern. Bought from Capital Quilts, a quilt shop in Gaithersburg, MD.

One of my favorite parts of the show is the Country Store. This is where guild members price their unwanted books, tools, and fabrics at great prices. I picked up a couple yards and ten fat quarters (one of which turned out to be a fat eighth) for a little over $20 after tax. I don't need any more fabric, but at that price it was hard to pass up.

I purchased a total of 3 and 7/8  yards of fabric.

Fabric purchased this year: 11 and 1/2 yards

Charity Quilting

The latest charity quilts for Annapolis Quilts for Kids.

This scrappy beauty was pieced by Trudy.

This lovely heart quilt was pieced by Mary. 

I'll be dropping off this stack of quilts at Annapolis Quilts for Kids.

Here is the EpochConverter for 2019.

2019 Charity Quilt Count: 36

The Mermaid

Part 3

This is going to be so many parts. I'm still working through my collection of batik fabrics. I didn't expect the hair to read as red as it does in this image but I really like it.

Building up the layers from the bottom.

I finished up the hair. 

I don't know if I would have picked these fabrics at the fabric store, but when you shop your collection of fabric you make do. 

The applique is finished. Next up will be the quilting. I'm going to let her hang so I can think about layering the thread.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Cheryl Ann's Quilting Design Wall - 72" White
Reynolds Freezer Paper Plastic Coated 50 Sq Ft
Elmer's Liquid School Glue, Washable, 4 Ounces
Crayola Ultra-Washable Markers

Instant Pot Yogurt

I eat yogurt most days as a morning snack. I feel particularly bad about the fact that you can only buy yogurt in single-use plastic containers. The single serving size all come in plastic. The larger tubs come in fewer flavors. 

Darling Husband pointed out I can make yogurt in the Instant Pot so I decided to give it a go. There are several different recipes out there but it really comes down to two: whole milk and and yogurt (for the active cultures). I used these directions from Epicurious because it outlined clearly the steps when it came to using the Instant Pot. First, you boil the milk. 

Then, you cool the milk to a point where it won't kill the active cultures that will turn that milk into yogurt and stir in the yogurt.

Set the Instant Pot to 'yogurt' and walk away for eight hours or so. This is a great Saturday or Sunday project because it takes very little prep time. 

Come back eight hours later and those cultures have turned that milk into yogurt!

I like a firm yogurt, so I lined a colander with coffee filters and let it strain into a bowl in the fridge for a few more hours. 

Then I put it in reusable jars so I won't feel bad about the single-use plastic. Maybe I'll add a little fruit to spice it up. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Six Quart Instant Pot

Ball half-pint jars

Charity Quilting

A couple more charity quilts.

Pieced by Mary.

The meander is perfecft for these scrappy quilts.

This one was also pieced by Mary. They will be added to the stack to head back to Annapolis Quilts for Kids at the next meeting. 

Here is the EpochConverter for 2019.

2019 Charity Quilt Count: 34

Crochet Starburst Poncho

I've had this Caron Big Cakes Self Striping Yarn in my collection for a while now. I have been playing with the idea of using a shawl tutorial from the Fiber Spider to make a starburst poncho. I sat still long enough give it a go. 

I used foundation double crochet to start the poncho. Realized it wasn't right and ripped it back.

Started the foundation double crochet again, and realized there was a problem with the join for the beginning of the round. 

The third time I managed to get it right!

After that, I wasn't going to rip it back any more. I might try it differently if I do this again, but I think once the piece hangs it will even out along the neckline. 

The shawl has four points and the poncho will have four points. You could wear this with one point forward and back with one over each arm, or with two points in front and two in the back. I'll update as I go along so you can see how it works out. I think it's going to be great!

If you haven't watched the Fiber Spider's YouTube tutorials, I highly recommend them. Designs are clearly explained and worth your time if you're struggling with a design covered.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Crochet hooks: Clover Crochet Hook Set (10 hooks)
Caron Big Cakes Self Striping Yarn