{Sew} Modern Monday #8

Welcome to another addition of 

{Sew} Modern Monday 
here at Canoe Ridge Creations!

I began {Sew} Modern Monday with the desire to create a place where people can share recent sewing and quilting projects using modern fabrics and/or designs. As you all know, there are quite a few linky parties out there for sewing and quilting in general, but there were hardly any for modern sewing specifically. Consequently, {Sew} Modern Monday was created here at Canoe Ridge Creations. Every so often I get e-mails from people asking what qualifies as a modern sewing.  The thing is, modern sewing can take on a different meaning for each and every one of us.  It is hard to come up with a concrete definition.  Do you agree?

 

Amy and Erin, the brilliant minds behind the Sewing Summit, just did a great post about this very topic.  Amy discusses what it means to be a modern sewist to her personally and is also asking for input from the blogging community.  Go check it out (there may even be a giveaway involved)!

 

Perhaps it is easier to pin point what modern sewing isn't?  What do you think?  I would love to hear your opinions.

And now a little modern sewing from the home front.  

 

Over the weekend, I was looking for a small project to work on.  You see, I am in the middle of quite a few larger projects and really wanted the instant gratification of a finish.  As I was looking through flickr for some inspiration, I fell upon this pincushion from i like orange, too!  I was hooked.  The simple look of a Kona gray paired with the rainbow color way is a classic.  Love.  So in less than an hour, I whipped up this pretty little pincushion.

 

My intentions are to keep this little guy for myself.  But, if my MMM swap partner likes it I may be making another.  Hmm, we shall see. :)

I am also linking my finish up to Fabric Tuesday!

 

Now it's your turn to link up.  Get those modern projects ready!

You know the drill...

1.) Link up a recent sewing or quilting project finish using modern fabrics and/or designs.  Please link to the specific post, not just your blog home page.
2.) Link back to my blog in your post.  If you want, grab the {Sew} Modern Monday button over on the sidebar and add it to your blog.  That way you won't have to remember each week.
3.) Please check out other people's {Sew} Modern Monday links.  What fun is a linky party without comments?  Please take the time to comment on other people's posts.
4.) If you like, join the flickr group and share your pictures there as well.

.com

Hello everyone!

I am in the process of changing the

Canoe Ridge Creations blog over to a 

.com domain name.

www.canoeridgecreations.com

It make take a few days for everything to switch over,

so please bear with me. :)

See you all back here next week for

{Sew} Modern Monday!

xo, Megan

{Sew} Beautiful Bee. February.

{Sew} Beautiful Bee block for 

the month of February.  Check.

 

This month, Emily 

chose the drunk love block using a yummy selection of 

Kona greys and Anna Maria Horner fabrics.
Here's my go at it...

That means one more thing off the to-do list, 
which seriously seems to grow by the minute.
Does anyone else have a problem with that? 


xo, Megan

WiP Wednesday {15} and a winner.

First things first today.  I have a winner to announce for the Sew Fresh Fabrics giveaway. Drum roll please.  And the winner is...

...#2. (Seriously, does that ever happen?!?!) Kristie from OCD:obsessive crafting disorder!  Congrats!  If you haven't already, go check out her blog.  She rocks!

Thanks again to Peg and Becca for sponsoring this great giveaway!  
 
I also want to say WELCOME to all of you new followers who found your way to Canoe Ridge Creations from the GenX Follower Friday Feature.  Sit back, take a look around, and feel free to make yourself at home.  I really hope you enjoy what you see!
 
And now back to the regularly scheduled programming....WiP Wednesday!

NEW PROJECTS

Solids Film Strip Quilt

Are you all familiar with the Cherry House quilt along that is popping up all over blog land?  I instantly fell in love with this quilt.  Something about the Kona Solids and the simple, modern design.  Perfection.  The only thing holding me back from jumping in on all the fun is the finished quilt size.  Following her directions, it only measures 36" x 36".  Seeing as I don't have kids (so no need for baby quilts and/or doll quilts) and I don't really need anymore small wall quilts, it just isn't for me.  So I decided to do a little design remix of my own using some of the FQs I received from the GenX Kona Your World Swap.  Let me just tell you, I. Am. Loving. This. Quilt.  As of now, the quilt top is almost complete (you can see a bit here) and I can't wait to quilt this one.  Hopefully soon!

 

Top Secret Quilt

This quilty project took up quite the chunk of time this weekend, and probably will take up more in the weeks to come.  While I really would like to share it will you all, it has to remain classified for the time being.  But, I promise it will be worth the wait.  

 

NEW and FINISHED PROJECTS

Blog Facelift 

Have you noticed?  The other night, I decided a little nip/tuck of sorts was in order for the Canoe Ridge Creations blog.  That counts as a finish right?  It's blogging/quilting related, so I will take it!  Thanks for all the kind comments so far!

 

FINISHED PROJECTS

Sliced Coins Quilt

In love with this quilt.  Enough said.

 

ONGOING PROJECTS

Single Girl Quilt

Slowly, but surely I am making progress on this one.  I am about half way through cutting my fabric out (which I am really hoping is the toughest part of this quilt) and I am itching to get started piecing it.

MMM Swap
No Progress.

...And, that's a wrap!

As far as the rest of my list goes, I have decided to drop it for the time being.  I haven't touched any of it in so long that they hardly count as works-in-progress anymore.  They are slowly creeping their way to UFO land (if they haven't already arrived there).  So, new blog look and new WiP list.  Can you all live with that?

 

This Week's Stats

Last week's total: I am saying 3. :)

New Projects: 3

Finished Projects: 2

This week's total: 4

 

Head on over to Freshly Pieced 

to see more great works-in-progress!

 

xo, Megan

a new look.

Change is good, right?

I have decided to give the Canoe Ridge Creations

blog a little face lift.

It was either that or a dramatic hair cut,
which I don't think I am quite ready for. :)

What do you think?

xo, Megan

{Sew} Modern Monday #7

It's time for another weekly edition of 

{Sew} Modern Monday 

here at Canoe Ridge Creations!

This week I am very excited to share with you my completed Sliced Coins Quilt from the quilt along over at Don't Call Me Betsy.

I had planned on giving this quilt to my sister when she graduates from high school this spring.  That was until she made a passing comment that she wasn't a huge fan of gray.  Eeek!  She might change her mind after she reads this post. :)  I have to admit though, I wasn't too crushed.  It just means I get to enjoy this one myself!

For the quilting, I went with simple wavy lines using the zig-zag stitch on my sewing machine.  Thanks Lee for the inspiration.  Have you seen this quilting method?  All you have to do is lengthen your zig-zag stitch and you're off.  It is so great and offers a fast and easy alternative to an all over FMQ pattern!  I just love the look of it on this quilt.

I used the same stitch to sew the binding down.

Love these little birds!

{the front}

{the back}

Quilt Stats:

Name: Slice Coins Quilt

Size: 62" x 78"

Pattern: Sliced Coins Quilt Along at Don't Call Me Betsy

Quilted by: Me

This finish means quilt number 4 for the year and 

I am really hoping this momentum keeps going!  

If you haven't already, don't forget to enter in the giveaway!


I am also linking this finish up to Fabric Tuesday!

Now it's your turn to link up.  You know the drill...

1.) Link up a recent sewing project finish using modern fabrics and/or designs.  Please link to the specific post, not just your blog home page.
2.) Link back to my blog in your post.  If you want, grab the {Sew} Modern Monday button over on the sidebar and add it to your blog.  That way you won't have to remember each week.
3.) Please check out other people's {Sew} Modern Monday links.  What fun is a linky party without comments?  Please take the time to comment on other people's posts.
4.) If you like, join the flickr group and share your pictures there as well.

ice storm.

We are having quite the winter storm

in the Midwest today.

Here in Iowa, everything is covered in ice.

Which means a day full of baking, 

sewing, and movies.

I spent the morning finishing the binding 
on my Sliced Coins quilt and am now
patiently waiting for it to come out of the 
dryer.  I can't wait to show it to
you all tomorrow.

Aren't lazy Sunday's the best?

xo, Megan 
Don't forget to enter in the giveaway!

manicures and a little sewing.

Looking for the Sew Fresh Fabrics Giveaway?  It's over here.

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to spend the morning with a wonderful 5-year-old and her absolutely adorable little brother.  We played princess (her brother was less than thrilled) and did nails, hair, and makeup.  Check out my fabulous manicure.

Complete with pink and purple nail polish, Barbie nail stickers, an extra layer of sparkles, and even a few heart tattoos.  Later in the afternoon when I went to the post office to send out some swap goodies, the lady behind the counter looked at my nails and then looked at me like I was crazy.  I think she might have been jealous. :)

Oh, and last night was FNSI.  If you haven't joined in on the fun, you really should!  I worked on a new project (surprise, surprise right?) using the wonderful Kona Cotton FQs I received earlier in the week from the Gen X Kona Your World Swap.  They were just so yummy, I couldn't help myself.

Want to see?  It's on the wall behind my awesome manicure.  See it there?  I don't want to share too much until it's all done, but I am super excited with the way this top turned out.  It is just so bright and cheery, which is definitely needed during this long Iowa winter.  Stay tuned if you want to see more.

Have a great weekend!

xo, Megan

Gen X Feature and A Giveaway!

I am being featured today by AnneMarie
over on Gen X Quilters Follower Friday!
Go check it out!

And to celebrate?
How about a giveaway?


Peg and Becca from Sew Fresh Fabrics have agreed
to give away 5 half yards of 
the Grand Tour from Victoria and Albert Collection
to one of you lucky readers!
Check out these awesome fabrics.

 

 

Sew Fresh Fabrics not only has a great selection

of designer fabric precuts and yardage, 

but they also have a wonderful selection

of Kona Cotton Solids.

Here's how to enter:

1.) Head on over to the Sew Fresh Fabric Etsy shop, take a look around, 

come back here and leave me a comment

telling me what your favorite finds are. (1 entry)

2.) Like Sew Fresh Fabrics on Facebook and tell me about it. (1 entry)

3.) Follow the Sew Fresh Fabrics blog and leave a comment

telling me so. (1 entry)

4.) Follow Canoe Ridge Creations and tell me so! (1 entry)

5.) Follow Canoe Ridge Creations on Facebook and tell me about it. (1 entry)

Please make sure your blogger profile includes
an e-mail address so I can notify you if you win!


This giveaway will be open until Tuesday, February 22, 2011
at 10:00 p.m. CST.
The winner will be selected using a random number
generator and announced on 
Wednesday, February 23, 2011.


UPDATED: Giveaway is now closed.


Good luck!


xo, Megan

WiP Wednesday {14}

It's WiP Wednesday time....

NEW PROJECTS

Single Girl Support Group
After my fabric find over the weekend, I thought it was a sign that I should join the Single Girl Support Group.  So call me crazy, but I dove head first into yet another quilt along.  As of right now all the fabric is stacked, the templates are cut, and I have started tracing and cutting the pieces out.  It is actually really nice to have something to work on in the evenings that doesn't involve being behind the sewing machine (as if that is a bad thing). But twice last night I asked myself, What have you gotten yourself into?  Are you nuts? It is a little overwhelming, but it helps to know there are over 200 people in the quilt along going through the same thing.


FINISHED PROJECTS

SUTK Swap
Like I mentioned last week, I was having a hard time committing to a project because I was unsure if my partner would like my idea.  Her taste is a little outside my comfort zone.  So on Sunday I took the challenge head on and just decided to just go with it.  Let me tell you, I love it!  And I hope she does too, because I am going to have a hard time giving this project up.  I promise more pictures to come!

Don't Call Me Betsy's Sliced Coins Quilt Along
Somehow the weekly steps seemed to slip by me, so I played catch up with this quilt along last week.  In one afternoon I was almost able to complete the entire top, that was until I ran out of the Kona Med-Gray.  Ugh, hate when that happens!  But after a quick trip to a LQS, I got my hands on some more. Now the top is finished and the whole thing needs to be quilted.


Quilt Story Block Party Entry


Now, for everything else on my work-in-progress list.  Well, not much has changed since last week. :)


WiP Stats
Last week's total:11
New Projects: 1
Completed Projects: 3
This week's total: 9 (yay! The list is getting smaller!)

Now head on over to Freshly Pieced

to see more great WiPs!

mail time.

mail time! 

insert blues clues mail time song.

Do you all know that song?  Maybe I have just spent too many summers nannying, but every time I get the mail that little song pops into my head. Now that I have jumped into the online blogging and swap community, mail time has become one of my favorite things.  Like yesterday when I received my FQs from the Gen X Kona Your World Swap.

I am pretty sure Grass Green just became my new favorite.

Oh, and my order from The Fat Quarter Shop also arrived a few days ago.  I decided purchase some half yards of Innocent Crush by Anna Maria Horner for my Make Mine Modern Swap partner.  I really hope she likes them, because after seeing the fabric in person I think I am going to have to get some for my stash.  They are just so yummy!

And then I figured if I am ordering some fabric for my partner, I might as well order some for me.  Kind of like if you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to ask for some milk, right? :) 

I went with this fat quarter bundle of Parisville by Tula Pink.

Like I said, 

mail time has become one of my favorite things!

xo, Megan

{Sew} Modern Monday #6

Welcome to another edition of 

{Sew} Modern Monday here at Canoe Ridge Creations!

This week, I wanted share this little bag I made using the Stash and Dash Bags pattern by Amy Butler.  If you are new to her patterns, I would highly recommend starting with this pattern.  The project itself is small and the directions are not as intense as some of the more advanced Amy Butler patterns.

If you can't tell already, I [heart] all things Amy Butler.  

Her fabric, her books, her patterns.  

Everything.

I love the fact that this pattern was small enough to finish in just a few hours, yet it still looks tailored.  I think that is why I am always drawn to her patterns.  They are homemade and look professional.

It is perfect for all my hand sewing supplies 

and small enough I can throw it in a purse.  

And now before you link up,

I thought I would share some flickr goodies.  

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

1. My Scrappy Valentine, 2. Valentine's Day Table Runner, 3. Conversation Heart Mini Quilt, 4. Ace of Hearts GoodyBag Grommet Pouch, 5. Day 11/365 New Shoes for Valentines Day, 6. Love in NYC, 7. birds and bees, 8. Heart Mobile, 9. Valentine bunting, 10. Happy Heart's Day, 11. Valentine Pennie Pockets, 12. Valentine's Pillow Front

Now it is your turn to link up. Here are the rules...
1.) Link up a recent sewing project finish using modern fabrics and/or designs.  Please link to the specific post, not just your blog home page.
2.) Link back to my blog in your post.  If you want, grab the {Sew} Modern Monday button over on the sidebar and add it to your blog.  That way you won't have to remember each week.
3.) Please check out other people's {Sew} Modern Monday links.  What fun is a linky party without comments?  Please take the time to comment on other people's posts.
4.) If you like, join the flickr group and share your pictures there as well.

single girl quilt along.

Yes, that is right.  

I have officially joined the Single Girl Support Group.

After this great find over the weekend,

I think it was meant to be.

Want to get your hands on some of that great Katie Jump Rope

yardage I came across?  Well here you go!

The wonderful store is called Olive Juice Quilts 

located in Onalaska, Wisconsin.

Their online store is still in the works, 

but they will gladly take phone orders!

Just click the button on my side bar 

and go check out their website.

Here is what they have left for yardage.

Now hurry on over there, 

because I don't think this will last for long!

xo, Megan

jackpot. katie jump rope.

Have you ever had one of those shopping experiences 

where you just want to scream jackpot at the top of your lungs?

Well today, I yelled KATIE JUMP ROPE!

Today, I spent some quality girl time with my mom and sister shopping.  We had a few things on our list, prom dress fabric for my sister, a new camera for me (more on those later), and my mom needed to stop at a LQS.  Once a month, her and a group of friends are involved in a monthly sewing club and she needed to catch up on the patterns.  I had only been to the store once and it had been a few years, so I was very excited to go along.  Ladies, I walked in and started hyperventilating.  Literally.  There was Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, Far Far Away, Kona Solids, so much awesome fabric!  I couldn't concentrate.  And then, I met Katie Jump Rope.  Eeeek.  I am still shaking!  Now I missed out on this line when it first came out and have awed over it ever since.  They had yardage (pictured above) and I landed my hands on the last FQ set, which will made into a Single Girl Quilt soon.  Ah!

When I found it I just wanted to scream and tell someone.  My sister and mom had a hard time understanding my excitement.  My boyfriend tried his best sharing my excitement when I called him.  But it just wasn't the same.  I wanted to rush home and blog about it, because you all can relate.  You all know what it is like to find some great quilting fabric.  And you all know how exciting it is when you hit the jackpot!

xo, Megan

trying to play catch up.

I have spent the afternoon trying to play catch

up on my Sliced Coins Quilt Along since

I am a little behind the eight ball.  

But not for long!

Just a few sashing strips away from 

a finished quilt top.

Have a great weekend!

xo, Megan

Block Party Entry {x's and o's}

Here is my entry for the Block Party over at Quilt Story.

I wasn't planning on joining in on the fun 

because I didn't think I had time.  But after seeing

all the great blocks I changed my mind and

last night I found the time.

Here is my block.

Block Details:

Name: x's and o's

Designed by: Me

Fabric: Bliss by Moda and Kona White

Category: Traditional

I am hoping to turn this block

into a cute little Valentine's Day

pillow before Monday. 

Now head on over to Quilt Story

to see some great quilt blocks!

xo, Megan

WiP Wednesday {13}

Wow, number 13 already!

 

NEW PROJECTS

Quilt Story Block Party

I had decided I wasn't going to take part in the Block Party over at Quilt Story. I thought I just didn't have the time and I didn't really need any more orphan blocks floating around.  Then I saw all of your beautiful blocks, and I couldn't help myself.  So I whipped up a couple of my own, and just need to photograph them and post them this afternoon.  Here's a little peak at one of the blocks.

 

FINISHED PROJECTS

crazy {9} wall quilt

I tackled quilting this little guy over the weekend.  Blogged here.

 

Postage Stamp Quilt Along
I finished this quilt top over the weekend too.  Look at all those little seams on the back.  Eeeek!  More pictures to come.
 
ONGOING PROJECTS

MMM Swap
I started this little project for my partner, and I am loving it so much I want to keep it! :)  Funny how that works.  Here's a little peak, just have to add some Wonderland by MoMo for Moda and call it good.  
 
JUST A LITTLE PROGRESS
Dresden Plate Quilt
I am entering one of these dresden plates into the Block Party as well.  But as for the quilt, I only have 3 blocks to go.  
 
DESPERATELY NEEDING ATTENTION
Don't Call Me Betsy's Sliced Coins Quilt Along
I am hoping to play catch up today and tomorrow.
 
SUTK Swap
I haven't started cutting the fabric on this one yet because I am second guessing myself.  Does anyone else who is/has been involved with swaps stress about what they make for their partner.  My partner and I don't exactly have matching tastes, so I am trying my best to be creative and make something that she will like.  But, ugh, this little project is stressing me to the max.
 
{Sew} Beautiful Bee
I am very excited to make the block Emily choose (and her fabrics are fabulous!), so I am holding off on starting it a few more days in hopes I finish some other projects up.  We will see how well "holding off" works. :)
 
Freebird Stained Glass
 
QUILTS BEING QUILTED
Spiderweb Quilt
Brick City Baby Quilt
 
QUILTS WAITING TO BE QUILTED
It's a Hoot Quilt
Red, White, and Blue Quilt
Urban Windows Quilt
Crazy {9} Baby Quilt

WiP Stats
Last week's total: 12
New Projects: 1
Completed Projects: 2
This week's total: 11

Now head on over to Freshly Pieced

to see more great works in progress!