Paula Wessells

WIP Wednesday

2013-04-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

Behind and late - that seems to be the theme the past couple of weeks. Lots of great stuff happening, just not in my craft room!

Had a chance to get in some sewing last weekend when I got home for Do. Good Stitches Peace group. This is my first time doing the strip technique and while it's easy, it's a little time consuming with cutting and ironing.

Pattern is by Don't Call Me Betsy - String Heart Block

Looking forward to a sew day at a friends house this weekend. Crossing my fingers that I have something to share with you next week!

This post series is inspired by Freshly Pieced and linked up over there!

Entryway Repaint | Jamaican Aqua

2013-04-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

It was time to make some changes in the Entryway, I had been wanting to repaint for a couple of years. As I posted before I went with Jamaican Aqua by Benjamin Moore and I am loving it now!

Then it was time to swap some furniture around and really try to open up this space. The red half table has been in the TV room and now has a perfect place in the entryway.

The next task was to purge some of the books and hide them in magazine files [IKEA Kassett] giving it a more clean look.

Here is a view from the entryway to my office - doors closed because it's a disaster area!

Still to do in this area...

Rug - hopefully coming this week
art work decisions

The Weekend

2013-03-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

Busy weekend ahead with friends and family - it feels good to have the entry way done for the most part. Just waiting on a few things to come in.

Friday night dinner & movie - BBQ and Gerard Butler
Saturday sew time and pizza from a real pizza oven
Sunday is family time and getting ready for some girl time down in AZ

WIP Wednesday

2013-03-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

Nothing is happening on the WIP list - except for me deciding that the entryway needed to be painted. Not only is this our entry way but it's also an extension of my office. It has all of my crafting books, inspiration and it's where I iron.

I decided on Jamaican Aqua by Benjamin Moore - I was a little hesitant because I didn't want too much color but I did want to brighten up the space. So far I am pretty happy with it. New area rug is ordered [Nirvana by Shaw area rugs] and deciding on a hanging pendent for one of the corners.

It's almost there - working on a few of my W's, most of the books are in magazine files [from Ikea], pictures are being hung...

Can you find Amos?

Will do a full post on all the progress and organization - Leaving for a quick trip next week to see some girlfriends and find some warm sun. So all of this needs to be DONE...stay tuned!

This post series is inspired by Freshly Pieced and linked up over there!

WIP Wednesday

2013-03-20T10:27:00.000-07:00

Joining a few others in WIP Wednesday - I will try to post all my WIPs, UFOs, Stash busters, stash builders [weak moment] and all kinds of projects. There may be some cross over to Weekend To-Do but remember how much I LOVE lists!

I didn't get as much done as I would have liked but loved cleaning and purging out the office/craft room. I moved a ton of my scrapbooking paper to my mom's craft room. Since I have not touched the stuff! Made more room in my shelves and trying out a new way to fold fabric using comic book boards. More on this later since I am still testing it all out.

Drawstring bags are done - lots and lots of cording! Now we are well stocked for gift giving.

In my weekend clean up I found my African fabrics - some of which I collected when I traveled there 14 years ago. Last year I was thrilled to find more fabrics at one of the Portland quilt shows - the plan was to do a quilt but this fabric is pretty stiff... so now I am off to tackle Amy Butlers Weekender Bag using the quilt as you go [QAYG] method. After seeing this one by One Shabby Chick, this one by Oh Fransson! and this one by Hey Porkchop with some great tips! Especially recommending that you buy your piping instead of making it.

I am going to be using my new to me industrial Juki - hoping is warms up a little so I don't freeze in the garage! I have a little set up out there complete with ironing station and carpet floor tiles.

My next project that I have been working are those bell bottom pants for my niece. She needs these for her tap performance in Mid Summers Night Dream. Not sure how the pants fit into this theme?? Anywho let's just say I am not good at making adjustments, she is so tiny that if I go by her measurements on the pattern she would be a 3T in the waist size 5 in length and size 7 in the hips. So the first pair I tried just were too big [vintage pattern] - going to convert that into a skirt for her. I am hoping that this Whitney Pants pattern by Viollette Fields is going to work out better.

They came together fairly quickly given this was the first time I had ever done box pleats. I was pretty happy with them and now want to do a skirt for myself! We will do a fitting this weekend so I can adjust the side seams.

This post series is inspired by Freshly Pieced and linked up over there!

Nail Art by Emi | Midori Lashes & Skin Care

2013-03-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

I am usually a pretty neutral gal when it comes to my manicures - Essie Mademoiselle is my go to. Occasionally I will sport a mint green or black but only on occasion. Mostly because I am hard on my nails and can't stand chipping!

When Midori told me that she was going to be offering nail art I jumped at the chance to sit down with Emi! I have always been impressed with what people can do with their nails - pinning nail art on Pinterest, trying to figure out when would be a good time to try something out other than my clear pink.

Once my appointment was set up I started to get an idea of what I wanted - something with color and a little sparkle. I browsed through Emi's nail magazines from Japan and was a little distracted from all the fancy out of this world designs - realizing also that pointy is the new fashion in nail shape. Not just long and round, we are talking pointy!

I found a design that gave me color and sparkle - color blocking using turquoise, pink, coral and sparkle white. [I am not the best nail model since my fingers are VERY stubby.] She uses a gel product and after three days no chips. The only thing that I have to get used to is the color on my fingers!

photo by Midori | Nails by Emi

Emi is wonderful - she hails from the homeland of Japan via New York and splits her time between Portland and LA. I highly recommend her and before long she will be booked up! In fact, I am already planning my next design... sparkle tips, ombre, maybe some cross stitch...so much fun!

If you are in the Portland area you can contact Emi @ Midori Lashes & Skin Care [5 0 3 2 8 2 2 7 7 7]to make an appointment and for more information go to their website. This is a great idea for special occasions - I think this would make a great bridesmaid gift or mother of the bride/groom gift. A little something special without standing out too much.

Bloglovin

2013-03-16T08:35:00.001-07:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

With Google Reader going away I am switching over to Bloglovin' - follow me over here!

UPDATE:
I just started using Bloglovin' so I don't know much about it. Here is what I like so far:

iPhone app - so far I am lovin' this app because you can quickly view your unread blogs on your iPhone. The format is great and easy to navigate! Download the app here
LOVE that on both the mobile app and desktop that it shows a photo - definitely makes me want to click on it and read more!
OR you can set it up to receive a daily digest email once a day of all the updated blogs
You can create groups of blogs -I have already started to group my blogs...
I connected my Facebook page so when I update my blog it pushes it to Facebook
Importing over from Google Reader was REALLY easy

The Weekend

2013-03-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to have this weekend to work on a ton of projects...

Cleaning out the office
SEW SEW SEW
Pick out a new entry way color and prep for painting

Enjoy your weekend!

WIP | pillows

2013-03-13T09:18:00.001-07:00

Joining a few others in WIP Wednesday - I will try to post all my WIPs, UFOs, Stash busters, stash builders [weak moment] and all kinds of projects. There may be some cross over to Weekend To-Do but remember how much I LOVE lists!

Finished up some pillow covers for a friend - we had fun going to Fabric Depot and picking out the fabric. The one on the right is a gorgeous linen - I might go back and pick some up for me! Simple envelope cover and IKEA 20x20 inserts.

taken with iPhone 5

I have been on an organization quest - it was just getting to be too much! Especially my garment fabrics. I finally have paired the fabric with the pattern and made a list of supplies that I still need to complete the piece. Now I just need to sew sew sew like the wind!

I am starting with some small projects that I need to get off my plate because of deadlines...so some of my past WIPs will be put on the back burner and these new ones come forward.

Bell bottom pants for niece's dance costume - found the fabric at JoAnns in the sale section and the pattern at an estate sale.

Drawstring bags - these have been half done for months. Need to stock up on these for gifts!

Finish binding snack rugs - stock up for gifts

other stuff...

MUST QUILT this Ron Swanson quilt because I need to make another one
Cuddle needs to be turned into a dog blanket...this stuff sheds all over and is driving me nuts in my room

That is the plan for this week! Wish me luck - This post series is inspired by Freshly Pieced and linked up over there!

Miss you Dottie

2013-03-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's been five years since Dottie passed away. Kirk and I were talking about her last week and he said 'Unfortunately you are never going to have a friend like that in your life, she was one of kind, special.' You know what? He is right. Those of you who knew her raise a glass today in her honor - those of you that didn't have a chance too, raise a glass and call your best friend just to say hi.
Love you Dottie!

Crazy Monday

2013-03-11T14:27:00.002-07:00

My weekend to do post was missed on Friday because this is what is going on right now...

Finally taking some time to organize sewing projects with all the stuff that is needed to complete them. If I don't have it, it goes on the shopping list. Need this detail in organization right now so if I get busy I don't have to waste time trying to resource everything. Plus it is giving me a chance to purge those projects that I am NEVER going to start or finish.

This means I am buried at the moment. But have lots to share this week!

1937 Singer Featherweight

2013-03-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Last summer I took a quilting class and some of the students brought in these cute older/vintage Singers. I was a little shocked to see them using them. So the first chance that I had I befriended a gal and started asking her all sorts of questions.

What a learned was that these Singer Featherweights sew the straightest stitch and only weigh 11 pounds! When I got back to a computer I dived into researching these little treasures - I found that they ranged in price based on year and condition. There were several on Ebay, Craigs List and Featherweight websites. It was a little overwhelming so I put the search on hold. And I really couldn't justify having another machine when I already have the Janome 7700 and 3160.

Fast forward to January our quilt guild is hosting an all day sew and several gals brought their Featherweights. This reignited my desire to have one - must find a gem! Of course what I really wanted to happen was I wanted to inherit one from family. I called family members and to my disappointment we didn't have any in the family. Two Treadles that I will inherit eventually but no Featherweights.

So it was back to the internet - Ebay and Craigs List, plus letting people know in the guild that I was looking to purchase one. Ebay was a little scary since you can't test the machines out but it was a good place to see what the final bids were. They were ranging in price from $350 to $600+.

After some research I was also able to determine that I wanted a 1940s or older, with the Egyptian scroll faceplate.

When this one - 1937 Singer Featherweight was listed on Craigs List I jumped at the opportunity to go and check it out.

The gal you had it listed is a seamstress by trade and tinkers in her free time fixing these treasures up. I was able to look at three different machines and decided that the 1937 beauty was coming home with me!

I paid $370 without the carrying case. The case was not in good shape and I didn't want to deal with refurbishing it. I knew that I could order a reproduction one for $65. I also ordered some extra bobbins and a qtr inch piecing foot.

She sews like a dream! It's kind of funny how I need to re-learn some old sewing habits like holding the tails and starting the fly wheel. Brought back memories of my mom teaching me how to sew.

Now that I have her home I can see why some gals have SEVERAL of these! I want to find one of the white models, tan version and maybe one more black one... Oh and her name - Sono after my grandmother.

Enjoy!!

WIP Wednesday

2013-03-06T09:56:00.000-08:00

Joining a few others in WIP Wednesday - I will try to post all my WIPs, UFOs, Stash busters, stash builders [weak moment] and all kinds of projects. There may be some cross over to Weekend To-Do but remember how much I LOVE lists!

There hasn't been much completion in the last week - the Do. Good Stitches block for March took me all day to sew on Saturday. Between shopping and socializing at our All Day Sew day I was surprised that I even got them done.

taken with iPhone 5 | Instagram

I am loving this block Road to Tennessee and the colors I chose at random. Once all the pieces were cut out it actually came together pretty fast. This has potential to be another quilt!

Socks are coming along and I am working on the 'leg' part. I am ready to start on another pair!
Prism quilt was untouched because I had to order some more fabric. I can't believe that I was able to find it since it's 'old' - thankfully Hawthorne Threads was my rescue!
My PJs are sitting idle

I did violate my fabric ban - it was just too much just ordering fabric that I needed from Hawthorne Threads


Salt Water by Tula Pink

Bento Box by Rani Child | Maritime Modern by Marin Sutten

All day at Fabric Depot... I think 2 yards of this wasn't bad. And look - it's Amos!

Free Puppy by Alexander Henry

A stop at Cool Cottons didn't disappoint either

Architextures by Carolyn Friedlander | Where's My Stache | Star Wars

And look at what I found at my local Hancocks

Crafty Chole by Heather Ross

Ok I must sew, sew, sew!!!!

This post series is inspired by Freshly Pieced and linked up over there!

Jesse | IVDD

2013-03-04T10:07:00.002-08:00

This is Jesse - the youngest, ex show dog, goofy, smart, stubborn and loves the sun. Poor thing has been battling IVDD for the last month but is now walking again with the help of acupuncture. This is out second dog that has had IVDD and both times we have been able to prevent surgery with acupuncture.

Over the next couple of months I will be putting together a series of posts that talks about our journey in dealing with this. Understanding every dog is different and some instances are more severe than others. But we want people to know that they sometimes have options.

Hopefully it won't bore my creative readers!

Weekend To Do

2013-03-01T11:19:00.002-08:00

Jammed packed weekend - forge ahead!

Portland Modern Quilt Guild - all day sew
Save the Date photo shoot at Cathedral Park
Design pillows for a good friend
clean out office so I can start the week refreshed!

Book Review | String Fling by Bonnie Hunter

2013-02-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

I actually won a book during last week's Portland Modern Quilt Guild meeting! It's called String Fling: Scrappy, Happy and Loving It! by Bonnie Hunter.

If you don't recognize her name she is behind the latest piecing craze: Scrappy Trip Around the World. Here are my blocks for Do. Good Stitches this month - I am looking forward to doing a full value quilt with this pattern.

But before I go into the details of this book I want to give you full disclosure on my mess of a fabric scrap area... this Ikea Raskog cart has helped a little. I have a rubbermaid bin in the closet full of even more scraps. Having this cart close to my work area is important so I can quickly put away the scraps. Right now I organize by color in these very large ziploc bags. It's not the prettiest solution but for now it's working. The bottom shelf are my kits and fabric packs.

Since my cart is OVERFLOWING I need to do some kind of stash buster quilt! This book is my answer by using string foundation piecing. I haven't dived into yet but the directions look easy and look at all this inspiration!

And this one... I can picture something like this on our bed

Zuckerwatte [cotton candy] stole the show - always thinking of my niece who LOVES pink

I am sure you will be hearing more about this book and technique in the months to come since I need to get my fabric scraps under some kind of control! Thank you to Bonnie for the donation to our guild.

WIP Wednesday

2013-02-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

Took a quick sewing detour to whip up a plastic grocery bag holder. They were getting out of control in the pantry. I followed this tutorial. I had enough material to make another one and send to MIL!

My PJs were put on hold because I didn't have enough fabric and I was frantically looking for more. Finally found some but it was close! In the meantime, I pulled this UFO out - Patchwork Prism Quilt by Anna Maria Horner, be sure to watch her videos. I kind of strayed away from the values [which I regret now] but I am trying to make it work. I am also struggling with all the purple...not a huge purple fan so I am integrating some more teals and greens. This just shows me that I need to work on some more value projects.

**DO NOT SCROLL DOWN** if you are offended by foul language.

I did finish my cross stitch project and my friend loved it! Using the waste canvas was great but it is tedious when removing it - if you follow me on Instagram you probably saw the mess. I loved doing this project and plan on doing some more gifts, unfortunately for more friends that are going through this. It's all in memory of my good friend Dottie - miss her so much!

This post series is inspired by Freshly Pieced and linked up over there!

Weekend To Do

2013-02-22T13:12:00.005-08:00

It's stormy out so I am hoping for some inside time...

Dinner at Firehouse
P90X workouts - so I don't have to run in the rain
knitting
sewing

WIP Wednesday

2013-02-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Churchouse Mohair loop did not see the light of day
some quilting happened - not sure what it is; but I just can't figure out what I want to do on my AMH quilt

I am really enjoying knitting these socks! As you can tell I am SLOOOOW knitter. I usually knit at night while catching up on TV. Probably in the next day or so I will be tackling the heel.

Amaya's Poodle skirt turned into a Dachshund skirt - this was easy and fun to make. I used Simplicity pattern 5401.

Traced the pattern for my PJs. I don't cut the actual pattern - I use Sweedish tracing paper for this.

Finally quilted the Rectangled Squared quilt and it is ready for the hand binding...

**DO NOT SCROLL DOWN** if you are offended by foul language.

I decided to cross stitch one of the patchwork heart pillow covers. This is my first time using waste canvas. This canvas allows you to cross stitch onto anything - here is a great tutorial from Wee Little Stitches. It's almost going to be like a reveal when I am finished with it! This will be for a friend that has survived Cancer. LOVE this pattern by Subversive Cross Stitch. It's exactly how I feel about Cancer.

Projects that are hanging out...

PJs for Amaya and Cole
UofO quilt
Piecing batting

Freshly Pieced

Helper | Amos

2013-02-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

This is my little helper, shadow, cuddler, spooner, and biggest mommy fan in the house...

Amos

WIP Wednesday

2013-02-13T09:54:00.002-08:00

Churchouse Mohair loop still in the bag
Again NO quilting happened.

I spent most of the week working on these patchwork hearts! My scrap bags are out of control so I just kept piecing...

Finally made a sewing machine cover for my Janome Horizon. This is the first time I have done piping. Which required a night trip to Montavilla Sewing Center for a piping foot. The zipper foot on the Janome is not shaped for piping. I love that Montavilla is close and open until 8PM!

I decided that three of my patchwork hearts will be pillows and one will be a mini quilt. Just need to do the envelope part on the two pink ones. One is going to my niece and the other one will be sent to a friend.

The red one is Kirk's Valentine's pressie :)

Have I told you about my newest endeavor? Cross stitch?? I have dabbled in the past doing very small projects. My friend AnnaRobyn does amazing cross stitch and after admiring her work for years I decided to dive in. Just learning with a few projects - Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery Kawaii Winter Wonderland and 2013 Monthly Woodland Sampler.

Socks have made little progress - especially since I had to frog one side. The lace pattern was not coming out right. Still loving socks!

Projects that are hanging out...

Poodle skirt for Amaya
PJs for me
PJs for Amaya and Cole
UofO quilt
Piecing batting

This post series is inspired by Freshly Pieced and linked up over there!

Ron Swanson Quilt | #1

2013-02-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

This is Ron Swanson #1 quilt. #1 because I made two! This one was made for my good friend Mary; who is a HUGE fan of Parks and Recreation.

The pattern and quilt along was created by Monica - check out the post here.

Here is my pieced back - yes, it's crooked. Need to work on that for the next one. Bacon fabric is by Timeless Treasures and my own design for the appliqued egg.

This has inspired me to do more with pixelated photos - maybe the dogs???

I heart you | patchwork heart

2013-02-11T05:00:00.001-08:00

Inspired by this heart mini quilt and patchwork heart mini... I pulled out my red scraps bag and went to town. When I first did the measurements on this I wanted to make a pillow cover for a 20x20 insert [the ones from IKEA]. Now I am undecided what I want to do with this because it's so cute!

Finished is 16.5 x 16.5" without a border. The border would put me at about 19.5" square so perfect for the pillow insert. But maybe a mini quilt that I can hang? or the first block of a larger quilt? These are all great problems to have right?

Materials used:
red scraps
dark blue 100% linen

Measured:
20 - red blocks 3 1/8"
6 - dark blue blocks 3 1/8"
5 - red blocks 3 1/2"
5 - dark blue blocks 3 1/2"

The 3 1/2" blocks are for your HST - I am not going to go into details on how to do HST [half square triangles] since there are several great ones out there.

PS I Quilt
In Color Order

After you make your HSTs you should have 10 HSTs

Now all you need to do is layout out all the blocks to make up the heart shape, sew the blocks together to make rows and sew the rows together to make the patchwork heart.

TIP: I usually press my seams open; but on piecing like this where I need my points/seams to match up I press them to the side alternating each row. For me is seems to work out better this way.

If you start today you could have this done in time for Valentine's Day!

Weekend To Do

2013-02-08T08:39:00.002-08:00

Busy social weekend is starting today...

Dinner and movie with a great group of friends tonight. Fire on the Mountain for wings and Identity Thief for hopefully the laughters!
Our Lady of Lourdes Dinner & Auction. Still trying to figure out what I am going to wear. Whatever it is, it is going to require spanx. Thank you for all the proxy bids!
Family dinner at my mom's
I was sidetracked this week with a fun heart piecing so I am hoping to get some quilting finished over the weekend

Our Lady of Lourdes | Auction Quilt 2013

2013-02-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

This is this years quilt for my niece's class at Our Lady of Lourdes. While not as intricate as last years - I think this one definitely has more of the kids work. They hand dyed all of their fabrics! As I was working with it all I wanted was yardage of it.

I quilted this one in a freehand scallop and it washed up so nice and crinkly. There was also enough hand dyed fabric for the binding.

The only fabric that wasn't hand dyed was the fabric on the back... With some of the extra scraps I made an extra block for the back - sunrise over water.

The auction is this Saturday the 9th - if you would like a chance at winning this quilt you can still place a bid by proxy. Just contact Kristina Wuest via email at kwuest@lourdesvan.org