Each Tuesday we are going through a Beginner's Quilting Tutorial Series. Last week we talked about Fabric 101, choosing you fabrics. This week I am going to have to postpone our post on Choosing your Quilt Designs and Patterns until later tomorrow. I decided to take a last minute trip up north to Prescott, Arizona. I am without a computer and man is it hard to blog on an iphone!

Recently I made a Zig-Zag quilt for my sister who was pregnant with her second son. Well I am now the proud Aunt of Brennan Donald Stringer! So I am in town visiting him. What an absolute joy he is! I will have pictures to share soon.

Though last week was quiet around the Pile, there was much going on in my sewing room! So today I decided to share a few of the fun things I was working on.

Handstitched Camp

Well I could have told you this would happen, but I am way behind on my projects for handstitched camp. Last week I was able to do some catch up though.

I moved on to round 3 of my Modern Medallion. The skills we were to learn in this round were english paper piecing Storm at Sea Blocks, then we were to add our patchwork by machine. Since I was a little crunched on time I decided to machine piece my Storm at Sea Blocks. I started working on my patchwork and posted my progress on Flickr looking for advice. The patchwork was so bright, and I was strongly debating trying to tone it done with pastels. When I was brainstorming ideas, I felt a "migration" coming on and decided to go a completely different direction.

I wanted to be able to use a bit more of the fabrics I used on my Storm at Sea blocks, so I made some flying geese. What a fun block to make! I also reintroduced the purple to tie into my center medallion fabric. It's a bit more traditional this way, but I am pretty excited with how it turned out. Now I need to continue working on the very time extensive embroidery and move on to round 4.

Another one of the projects for camp was a Hexie Tree Bag. I was so excited for this project. Since I have been handstitching I have been bringing my projects out and about with me. I really needed a bag to keep everything in, so I jumped right on this project. I got to learn English Paper Piecing hexies and let me tell you I love it! I may have a little hexie adiction now :) This bag was very similar to my Tree of Knowledege Book Bag, so since it was familar it was really easy to put together. I used a nice brushed twill for the outside of the bag, bright prints from Connecting Threads for the hexies and some Alexander Henry for the interior.

The original bag didn't have a pocket, but I went ahead and added one for smaller items. I have been using the bag for about a week now and I LOVE it. I bring it all over with my neelebook and projects in tow.

Westminster Quilt

A while back I had shared the mockups of the Westminster Quilt I had designed. I often times use patterns or tutorials for my projects. But, being a designer I am constantly coming up with ideas for quilts. I have made quite a few mockups in photoshop, and a few months ago finished this design and even bought my fabric, but never got around to making it. I went ahead and started on it and this project has totally motivated me to start making more of my own designs. It is so much fun!

Other Fun

I also started on a few other little sewing projects. My son is constantly loosing his pacifiers, so I made a super quick and easy pacifier clip out of left over binding.

I pulled out my Summersville Stash and started practicing my embroidery, this is the first of many Summersville projects I am working on for a complete Summersville Series. More too come! :)

I love Kona Charm Swap round 1 is almost over. I am waiting on just a few more packages, and I will begin sorting. It has been a lot of fun and there will defintely be a round 2. So if you missed out on round 1 keep an eye out!

An Etsy Shop

I also took some time last week to setup an Etsy Shop. I have had a few family and friends ask about purchasing quilts. So I went ahead with Etsy for now. I only have one product so far, but I have been brainstorming ideas for products. I want my main focus to be quilts, but I would like to have some other items. I would love your feedback on what products you think would be great for a little Etsy Shop, and would fit my style. Also if any of you out there sell you work, how do you come up with your pricing? I grew up in the Jewelry business and have a lot of retail experience, but I have no clue how to price a quilt!

I have been busy, busy, and have even more projects I have been working on so I will share more later this week. I am off to go visit my amazing new nephew, and to be reminded of what an absolute gift and blessing from God children are! Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!

Alyssa