Week 9 Section 8

This was yet the HARDEST part of the Nyan Cat Quilt-along so far. Week 9 Section 8 definitely kicked butt this week. I actually fell asleep at the machine at one point and knew it was time to go to bed! I can finally celebrate though, because I got through it. I am at the point now where I'm getting restless and I can't wait to see the finished product. I think I can hold on, just a little longer. Here is my version of Nyan Cat's pretty little head:

Week 8 Section 7

If you're hanging in there with me you've seen the parts of the Nyan Quilt I've completed so far. This is my first quilt-along and I am so anxious to see the end result!  You can follow along with the quilt-along here

I have finally reached Week 8 Section 7. This part covers a large portion of Nyan Cat's poptart body. 

I ironed my fabric before I sewed it this time and it turned out rather well. One thing I didn't do was to pay attention to my light pink direction print.  Some stars are going sideways but that isn't an issue for me. 

Well, here it is...

Drumroll please...

 

Change of heart

So in my last post I listed two of my WIPs. One is a lap quilt for my mother-in-law and the other is a baby quilt for my niece's newborn son. I had a change of heart at the last second with the baby quilt. I decided to go in a different direction to make it more youthful so I will keep the other one for something else.

One thing I've learned that was of great importance was to square up your quilt. I was in such a rush with the baby quilt I did not square it up correctly on all sides. Another thing that I did was I should have alternated my sewing directions. The quilt is a bit bowed, it's a lot bowed in the middle!! It's a lot more obvious as you look across the quilt.

Somewhere along the way I messed up my seam allowances. This would've been okay had I made the quilt taller. So in the end I ended up with a very small baby quilt. Basically just big enough to lay your newborn on or big enough for him to drag around and cuddle with when he gets older.

I found the tutorial for this blanket on Elizabeth Hartman's "Oh, Fransson! site here. It is a super easy (unless you are me) pattern for a beginner and you can download a PDF of the pattern right from her page. She has a bunch of different patterns that she offers for free and she has some super-neat patterns in her Pattern Shop and in the book she published.

I do intend to make a bigger lap version of it in the near future. Enjoy!

I purchased individual fat quarters from Walmart to make this quilt top and I purchased one pre-cut packaged yard from Walmart for the back. I paid less than $10 for the entire thing. Score! I quilted this on my Singer Simple 3116 using a Walking foot. I used white thread for the top and brown thread for the bobbin. I sure wish I had a new machine. THAT is another post for another day. Anyway, here are a few pics of the quilt:

"Initial layout"

Had it folded and ready to go so I had my daughter unfold it

Wavy-like quilting

Crafting Sets My Heart Free

Hello readers!

Have you ever sat down to work on something and got so engrossed with what you were doing that you that hours passed by before you knew it?



That often happens to me when I'm working on my crafts, which is why I choose to work on them at night after the kids have gone to bed. That way, I won't have to worry about them asking, "Um... mom... are we eating dinner tonight?" Big OOPS! (No worries, my children are well-fed.)

I sometimes have to force myself to unplug the iron or turn off the sewing machine, especially if I fall asleep in mid-stitch which can be quite dangerous.

Anyway, for the past couple of nights I haven't gone to bed until after midnight. It is so hard to tear myself away from it.

Working on something whether it be crochet, sewing, knitting, paper, etc. gives me such a feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction!!

To create something with my hands brings me such joy! Then, as a confirmation, the look on my kids' faces or the person who I present a gift to is all I need.

I don't think I've ever been this happy in my life.

I think I'll just sit here and enjoy this feeling for a bit longer.