Completed Table Topper

I finished this table topper a few weeks ago. This was my first fully finished quilted project and I am so proud of it! It started out as a lap quilt but of course I didn't take into account the seam allowances and it ended up as a table topper. I learned a lot of things on the way to completing this project.
I learned the importance of measurements (as I ran out of binding), the importance of seam allowances (which will obviously reduce the size of your finished product if you don't take that into account), the importance of ironing (which will make nesting and matching seams much easier), the importance of extra rotary blades (I messed up good fabric with dull blades), the importance of preparation (how many times I stopped to wind a bobbin and then ran out of thread), and so many more lessons.
This piece lives on a part of my desk in my cubicle at work where I keep my family pictures.
I bought the fabric from WalMart. I think I used one print charm pack and pieces out of a white charm pack that I had. I referenced several hourglass quilt tutorials to get the basic idea and then went to it. I used a solid matching backing piece.

The little contrast piece of my binding serves two purposes. It hides the fact that I ran out of binding and it is a  "signature"but I have to decide if I am going to hand embroider my name on it or fuse it to the piece.

Horse themed tote bag

A colleague of mine is not feeling so good and I wanted to make her something that would cheer her up. She is a horse lover so I decided to visit my local quilting shoppe, Buttonwood Quilts, and see if I could find some fabric with a horse theme. JACKPOT!! I found a couple of fat quarters that would do the trick! A horse theme, horseshoe, and two coordinating prints. I spent approximately $15 and I was able to make the tote bag plus I have leftover scraps that I can use later. Hmmm, a wristlet you say??? I shall have to ponder that...

In the meantime, check out the tote bag and tell me what you think. I didn't use a pattern and I made it up as I went along so the back and front aren't identical but I still use the same fat quarters.

Hopefully, tomorrow I can give the bag to her. For now, sleep! (Yes, it is 1:10 a.m. here!)

I also added a few metal studs to the bag.

Finally set up my Sewing Space!

Cork board/ white board

Storage unit and boxes from Target; printer on top; rotating spool holder will replace the bag of spools; puzzle magazines and quilt magazines in magazine holder

Lamp will be painted navy blue

Sewing table fully open; cross-stitch picture found at Goodwill; may or may not go on wall at some point

Annette's Sewing Space

I've never had my own sewing space. My sewing table sat and served as a BAR for years in my dining room, with my sewing machine stored safely under it. Yes, it had an ice bucket, cups, wine, soda, dessert plates, and other stuff. It WAS in the dining room after all. When I started sewing again, my entire dining table served as a space. It wasn't a good experience. BUT NO MORE! I moved my leather futon out of my extra bedroom/office and it is going to my mom's house along with a desk and a computer! I rolled my sewing table in, bought the cutest storage unit from Target and picked blue, red, and tan fabric boxes for it. Screwed a hook into the side of the table to hang my cutting mats and rulers when not in use! Set my printer on top of my cubbies and once my DH has built my rotating thread holder, it will go right next to it! Hung a corkboard/whiteboard up, organized all my craft books and stored them in the storage under the table. Using my piano seat to sit on. The lamp you see was being tossed away at work so I grabbed it and will paint it blue to match my colors. I originally painted it purple b/c it was going into the kids' room but they didn't want it so I took it back! When the table is fully opened I will use the left side to iron on and the right side to cut on. That is the plan but I haven't done a test run yet and I still need a power strip. The other half of the room you don't see is my DH's "side" because it has a tv and his computer. I'm thinking of bringing in my laptop stand in too so I can set up. It is a very tiny room but I love the space so much. My home theme is nautical so I think a lovely nautical wall hanging would make a nice touch! I am SEW excited!