We've moved!

It's a bit quiet in here huh? It's because we have moved. If you want to check out more of A Stranger View's sewing adventures, please visit http://astrangerview.wix.com/astrangerview (And follow me/subscribe while you are there).  

Thanks, xoxo.

S. 

Splurge alert!

Last Sunday I was shopping at the big J store and could not resist. I splurged on an Oliso iron. One of those that lift up from magical little feet. 

I know it isn't a high necessity to have a fancy iron, but please allow me to make my case. I remember the first time I saw one of those was when I watched a Missouri Star Quilt Company tutorial. When Jenny touched the iron and I saw it go down I went "wow, what just happened?". I pressed the rewind button (maybe a couple of times) to understand what was that new contraption. From then on I kept seeing on blogs I follow, so when I saw one this past Sunday for over 50% off it was not surprising (to me anyways) that I had to have that little steam machine. 

This is not the Pro (which costs $200), but as I got home I did my research and I found out that this one runs from $99-$145 online. Well, I paid $55 since it was on sale (and it was the last one, so it was meant to be). 

I kind of feel guilty buying a fancy iron when I had one that still worked pretty well, but I like my new toy too much so I'll  just try to not think about it and go on do some pressing (and, ahem, make a new iron board cover). 

A late Christmas gift done and gifted.

With the craziness of the holidays (trying to finish up those two quilts, plus lots of traveling) I totally dropped the ball on the teacher's gift. As soon as I came back I had to work on it.

I made these oven mitts and pot holder because there is a lot of baking during winter. I used scraps from my Sugar BOM, some neutrals (brown, deep purple and tan) and some polka dots and then I played with some FMQ.

 

The label still on the works - I used a Micron pen to write the other info. 

I used Insul-Bright by the Warm Company as a thermal batting, plus a layer of cotton batting. It is a little noisy and crinkly which I am hoping will fade away, because of the reflective metallic layer that protects from the heat. The bias binding on the mitt was a pain to get it machine stitched. Plus, I wasn't very happy with my bobbin thread showing up a bit (I used light gray on top and dark brown on the bobbin) but anyways, I want to make one for myself now. 

What kind of thermal batting do you use when making oven mitts and pot holders?

Finishing up!

It's been a great year. I have learned a lot doing the two BOM/QAL and working on two quilts for my niece and nephew.

 

I can say that I am proud of my achievements. Usually people ask me when u have time to make those things (with a toddler and a baby around), and I really don't know. It's a mixture of nap time, night time or weekends when daddy is on kids duty.    

 

Sometimes I do get annoyed that I don't get as much time as I would like to sew, but I can't complain. Life is good, and it's fun to spend the day with my two munchkins and be able to play with fabric on my free time. 

All this to say, may 2015 come bringing joy and happiness to everyone. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Christmas gifts almost all done!!!

I have been working on these two quilts for months now, but these last two weeks I really rushed to get then quilted and done. I'm still working on the hand binding, hopefully in time for our Christmas gifting. 

The spiral quilting was not easy, but I love the simplicity of it and it complemented the log cabin really well, so it was worth it. 

Hand binding is my kind of fun!

On this one I tried my hand at FMQ again. I can't say it's perfect, in fact there are a ton of imperfections , but I think overall it looks good. And it was a good practice. 

Keep on sewing and Happy Holidays!!!

Quilt Along and Block of the month

December is here and I have finished my last two blocks from the Classic meets Modern QAL and Sugar BOM. I like what I've done but regret using the yellow next to the white on the Christmas star block. From far, the yellow blends in with the white. Bummer. I'm not redoing it because it's a million pieces and seams, so this is how it will be. 

I did reworked two of the blocks: the log cabin and the maple leaf (I subbed the maple leaf for Weathervane). 

For the Sugar block, I liked my fussy cutting, but it would be good to have more of the orange/purple flowers in it. Again, oh well! 

Now I need to figure out a layout and have the courage to quilt it.  

Here are all 12 blocks:

Like it?

Keep on sewing!

My first quilt

Well, it's been a year since I've got the quilting bug and since then I have completed 2 quilts, 1 table runner, some quilted bags, a wall hanger that still needs to be finish, 3 quilts basted, 2 tops finished, and 2 tops almost done. I think that's quite an accomplishment, especially because my full-time job (as a SAHM) doesn't leave me much time left. 

So, I realized that I haven't posted any photos of my first quilt yet, so I would like to share it with you, because I think it's a great Fall/Winter quilt. 

 I just love that back fabric, so much so that I used it for the lining and pocket of my daughter's backpack (I'll post about that another time). 

 

🍂🎃🍁

Happy sewing!