under the wire [April Bee Blocks]

True to form, I finished up April's Bee blocks just in time last night.  There is nothing like waiting until the last minute to finish these kinds of things. :)

 

do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee}

Sasikirana (on flickr) chose a fun block based off of this beautiful rug she received in the UHG swap.  She requested bright fabrics paired with a crisp Kona White, which just pops!  I can't wait to see everyone's blocks all together because I think this will be one stunning quilt.

 

{Sew} Beautiful Bee

Brooke from Pitter Putter Stitch chose the Circle of Geese block for her bee block this month.  I absolutely love the fabrics she choose!  I have to admit I was pretty intimidated by this block (which is why I put it off for so long), but it turned out better than expected!

 

Thanks for all the positive feedback on Flashback Fridays!  If you missed it, you can find the info here.  I will get the details together this weekend, but I am planning on May 13 (two weeks from today) being the first Flashback Friday. Look for more information next week!

xo, Megan

an extra hour.

While I had grand ideas to get a WiP post together for yesterday's WiP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced, it just didn't happen.  I swear there is just not enough time in the day to get everything done somedays.  Any one else up for a 25 hour day?  Think of all that extra quilting an hour could bring!

Rather than bore you with the detailed list (that can wait until next week) of all the projects, I will just share a couple.

There are only a few weeks left in the Pretty {little} Pouch swap, so I am hoping to finish mine up this weekend and send it on it's way.  Originally I was a little intimidated by my partner assignment, but have decided to just go with it.  I was immediately drawn to her solids and gray tastes that seemed to pop up all over her inspiration mosaic.  

So with these rainbow solids and gray plus a little quilting/hand stitched detail, and I think it will be just right for her.  I am planning on using the same basic shape as this pouch I made a few weeks back.  Which by the way, I use all the time now, they are just so handy.  I have ditched the purse for the pouch--at least for the time being.

I also have decided on a quilt pattern for the BF's quilt.  He chose these great gray and green prints from Ty Pennington's line Impressions a few weeks ago and has been begging for a quilt ever since.  When I came across the Mod Times QAL (I think I have an addiction to QALs) from Twin Fibers, I instantly fell in love with the pattern.  Simple, geometric.  Perfection.  I will be using Kona Coal and Snow (still need to get to the store and pick some up) along with those Ty Pennington fabrics.  

The finished quilt size is pretty small (30ish" x 40ish" I think), especially if he is going to want to cover up with it (hehe) so I am planning on making it bigger.  I am a little stuck though.  Do I add more rows onto the top and side?  Or do I just enlarge all the pieces (same overall design, just on a larger scale)?  Any suggestions my quilty friends?

Also, I was going through all my quilts I have ever made the other day.  And I got to thinking (which is sometimes dangerous).  Since I started quilting a good 10 years before I started blogging and there are some quite a few quilts stacked up who deserve their little time to shine.  How does a Flashback Friday of sorts sound?  Would anyone be interested in a linking up some of your pre-blogging quilts?  Now I am not thinking a weekly or even bi-weekly thing, just maybe a few times over the next few months.  Tell me your thoughts.

Which brings me to my next thing.  If you haven't already, go check out this post from Lee.  Go on, I will wait.  As I repeatedly say, you all are seriously the best. It is your comments/e-mails/inspiration that keeps me blogging.  Words cannot express how much I appreciate each and everyone of you.  The online quilting community is seriously the best!

Phew.  How's that for a long post. :)  Have a great weekend everyone!

xo, Megan

{Sew} Modern Monday #16

Hey everyone!

Time for another weekly edition 

of {Sew} Modern Monday!

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend!  Over here, Sunday was jammed packed with making/serving breakfast at church, a 6:30 am Sunrise Service, and opening the golf course all before noon.  After that it was off to my grandma and grandpa's for a family Easter dinner and an afternoon full of fun.  I even managed to squeeze a little sewing related activity into the busy schedule too! Call me crazy, but I have seriously gotten hooked (and I mean really, really hooked) on wrapping little fabric bolts.  Sometimes it seems more fun than actually sewing!  Any one else like that?  There is just something so relaxing about it.  Love it.

 

While pictures of fabric stacks can be yummy, I won't put you all through that. :) Instead here are a few goodies that were linked up last week...

 

Did you all see this pillow that was linked up by Kim?

I don't know about you, but I am seriously digging the new DS fabric

and I especially love it in this pillow.

 

Sara from FairyFace Designs linked up this beautiful dresden

mini-quilt.

 

Oh, and you must check out these twin quilts from City House Studio.

Not only do I love her colors, but the pebble quilting she did

is amazingly wonderful!

 

Alright onto this week.  You know the drill!  New to the game?  Check out a few guidelines over here and jump right in!  I love seeing new faces!

MMM [sent]

Now that I have official confirmation my MMM goodies have arrived with my secret partner, I can't wait to share them with you all.  To be honest, it was a little difficult to hand these guys over the lady at the post office.
 

My partner,  Jenn (sixtwentyseventh on flickr), gave me a some wonderful ideas in her "likes/dislikes" for this swap.  The top two on her list were a pretty little pin cushion and a cover for her sewing machine, but she also added she liked birds and owls.  After making this pincushion a while back, I knew Jenn would love it.  If you remember, I also made this little hand embroidery of an owl (it's also in my blog header) right after our swap partners were assigned.  Then inspiration kind of fizzled, until the last minute that is.  So what else did I make for her?

 

Why a machine cover of course! :)

 

I just love how the Wonderland by Momo fabrics pop with that little owl and the Kona Coal.

 

For the quilting, I knew I wanted simple as to not take attention away from the Momo and embroidery so I went with straight-line quilting.  You can't go wrong with a little straight-line quilting, right?  

The rest of the package was rounded out with some Parisville by Tula Pink and some chocolate.  Oh, and in Jenn's dislike section she specifically mentioned she "wasn't a big fan of novelty prints...ie. Thomas the Tank."  When I read that, I was on the hunt for some Thomas fabric!  Thankfully she has the same sense of humor as I do and thought it was funny as well.  Except for the fact she mentioned she might be sending it back my way! :) No thanks Jenn, it is all yours!

That rounds out my MMM package.  Like I said, I have received my awesome package as well...just waiting on this crazy Iowa weather to shape up so I can get outside and take some pictures.

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo, Megan

april snow, brings may...SAY WHAT!?!?

Yes, that's right.  It is April 19th and here in Iowa we have at least 3 inches of snow (with total accumulation predicted to be 8 inches).  School got out early, banks are closed, we even shut down the clubhouse at the golf course.  Hello, Mother Nature?  Am I missing something?!?!
 

April 19th

 

It is hard to believe it looked like this a few days ago...

 

We have actually been having this crazy weather on and off again for the past few days.  It is warm and sunny one day and then cold and rainy (and now snowy) the next.  I guess that is just Spring in the Midwest for you.

I am off to enjoy the night with my sewing machine, some sweatpants, and maybe even a glass of wine.

 

xo, Megan

{Sew} Modern Monday #15

Wowza!  This is already the 15th week of

{Sew} Modern Monday here at 

Canoe Ridge Creations!  

Time sure flies when you are having fun!

Thanks to everyone who has participated thus far.

Without you all, Monday's just wouldn't be as much fun!

This past weekend was filled with all things prom.  If you remember, I mentioned my sister was making her own prom dress for her Senior year in high school.  Well this past Saturday was the big day, and let me just say (I know I might be a little biased) she looked beautiful--oh, and the dress was looking good as well.  Stay tuned this week, for more details.  Trust me, there were many pictures taken in a short amount of time!

On to {Sew} Modern Monday.  Keeping with tradition, I thought I would share a few great projects that were linked up last week...

Did you all see this quilt made by Kati at From the Blue Chair?

Beautiful!  It really makes me want to cut into my 

Innocent Crush stash.  

Or how about this chic bag from SewCraftyJess?

The fabric combination Jess chose is wonderful!

Kirsten67 linked up this great quilt named Paris via Flickr.

I love the sashing color she chose to off set her great prints.

--note: you don't have to have a blog to link up!

you can also link up a project you have shared on Flickr

That's a wrap.  Now onto week 15!  Link away my modern sewing friends! :)  Also, I didn't get a chance to comment on all the great linkups last week, but know I do look at them all even if I seem a little quiet on the commenting side of things!

life in the fast lane [powered by RedBull]

busy schedule at work. 

check.

squeezing sewing time into every free moment. 

check and check.

I don't know about you all, but this past week has just flown by.  Despite long hours at work, my sewing mojo is at an all time high.  All thanks to the great folks at RedBull (yes, yes. i realize how "bad" energy drinks are for me--the BF reminds me daily. but sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do).  It was only a few posts back I was worried about how sewing/blogging would be affected by my return back to work--but so far so good.  I have learned when you only have a limited amount of time for fun things like sewing, you make every second count.

At the start of my productive week is that camera strap cover I shared earlier.  It is amazing how much fun taking pictures is when you are in style (as if I didn't enjoy taking pictures before that).  Oh, and I am pretty sure I need to add more Tula Pink Parisville to my stash ASAP.

Then it was onto finishing up my MMM swap goodies for my partner.  I had kind of waited (glorified way of saying procrastinated) until almost the last minute to get started on an overall design for my "big ticket" item because I was lacking a little inspiration.  But when said inspiration struck...in the shower of all places...there was no turning back.

I officially wrapped and sent things this afternoon (there's nothing like waiting until the deadline) and can't wait for my partner to get them so I can share it with you all. 

Once those swap goodies were complete, I decided to get a jump start on my Pretty {little} Pouch Swap package.  We received our partners last week, and I am very excited to make something for my secret partner.  I have already pulled fabric and started sketching a design and am hoping to finish a bit more of it tonight.

Which reminds me, tonight is April's FNSI--I will most certainly be working on that little pouch.  Just as soon as I get off the laptop.

Oh, oh.  And to end a great week, I received my MMM swap package today.  I actually got a text message, while at work, letting me know I had gotten a package with "MMM" on it.  

Do you know how hard it is to keep working is when you know there is something so great waiting at home?  Let me just tell you, VERY HARD. :)  Here is just a little peek for now.  I am hoping to get pictures taken of it all tomorrow.

No, no.  That fortune is not from her.  It was from my lunch today (mmm, chinese takeout).  I think it was a sign.  Roses=KJR flowers.  Right?

Alright, I think that is enough sewing update for now.  I'm off to enjoy the night in sweat pants, virtually sewing along with all of you tonight.

Have a great night.

xo, Megan

instant gratification [the camera strap]

I was in need of some sewing instant gratification the other day.  You know the small project, can finish it in a few hours kind of sewing?  Yep, that was exactly what I was craving for.  (please excuse the point and shoot pictures.)

 

  

And the fix?  A cover for my DSLR camera strap.

With a little Parisville by Tula Pink and some Kona Medium Gray (surprised?) I was done in no time.

The best part, this was just the start of some serious sewing mojo over here. Stay tuned.
 

xo, Megan

{Sew} Modern Monday #14

It's that time again...

So get your modern sewn goodness ready! 

 

This past weekend has been quite the "storm chaser's dream" here in the Midwest.  You know when you look at the days forecast in the morning and it says "86 degrees and severe thunderstorms and tornadoes imminent" you are in for fun day.  While in my little corner of Iowa we lucked out on the really bad stuff, others were not so lucky.

 

Enough with the ramblings and on to the important business.  Here is a taste of what was linked up to last week's {Sew} Modern Monday.  Your projects are all so inspiring!

I absolutely adore this DQS quilt from A Blond Quilts.

Solids + hand stitching = my favorite.

Did you see this wall quilt from Love. Laugh. Sew.?

There is even a tutorial for it over at Comfort Stitching.

K*D Quilts linked up this cute quilt.

See those little pictures in the white squares?  Hand quilted.

You rock Kristen!

All right, rock it ladies (and gents). Here are the rules and if you are new to the game, don't be shy!

hold on tight.

We may be in for a bumpy ride

this afternoon and into tonight here in the 

Midwest.

Severe thunderstorms and tornado outbreaks

 are predicted.  That's hard to believe

considering it's 86 degrees and sunny right now.

Looks like I should get some hand sewing

together incase a trip to the 

basement is required.

Too bad I can't move my entire

sewing room/supplies down there.

:)

xo, Megan

fabric goodies.

Like I previously mentioned, Sunday was all about the fabric retail therapy. Maybe it was because of the case of strep throat, or the fact I had to go back to work this week.  Either way, it was needed and appreciated.  
 
First, Sew, Mama, Sew! was having a sale last weekend, so I was drooling over the fabric online.  After seeing these Habitat by Jay McCarroll prints in this Oh, Fransson! quilt, I had to get my hands on some.  Pretty cool, yes?  I love the combo with the Kona solids--still need to get those.  

Feeling confident about my online shopping, I checked out.  Then boyfriend suggested an impromptu trip to a LQS (he had no idea I was already fabric shopping online, hehe).  Umm, yes please!  How could a girl say no?!?
 
At the store, I decided to add to my Innocent Crush by Anna Maria Horner stash. These are some of my favorite fabrics right now.  I am thinking about using these for my month in the {Sew} Beautiful Bee.  String quilt perhaps?

Oh, and then I couldn't pass up these fabrics from the Aviary 2 fabric line by Joel Dewberry.  Yummy!

At this point in the shopping trip, I was feeling pretty good.  I had several great half yards of some yummy fabrics.  So I made my way to the front counter, paid, and was ready to go.  As we were about to walk out the door, the boyfriend mentions he would really like a quilt made out of "these cool fabrics."  He was talking about the gray and green prints from the new Ty Pennington line Impressions.  I couldn't tell him no, so we came home with these guys too.

Moral of the story--Fabric retail therapy ROCKS! :)
 
Oh, and I have the day off from work today (which reminds me, THANK YOU so much for all the kind words regarding my last post!) and you can bet I will be squeezing some sewing/quilting time into tonight's agenda.  Have a fabulous weekend all!
 

xo, Megan

hi ho. hi ho. it's off to work i go.

well folks, it is back to work for me...
 
I haven't really mentioned it before, but I work in management at a local country club.  Which lucky for me means I have an "off" season (because it is pretty hard to golf in Iowa during the winter), where I have a bit of down time. I initially started this blog as things were starting to slow down last fall, just as a way to stay "busy".  Like I mentioned in my first post, I had no idea what the blogging community would bring.  Let me just say, it has been wonderful!  You all are so great!  Seriously.
 
Ok, getting back on track.  The warm, spring weather has arrived which means back to work for me.  Bitter sweet really.  While I am more than ready to get back to work and have a "social life" again, I know inevitably that means less time on the blog.  Ugh.  
 
So things around here may or may not start to look a little different.  I am not sure really, just planning on going with the flow.  Posts will more than likely slow down as sewing time will most definitely get cut short.  I probably won't have as much time to browse flickr or comment on your great blogs.  Sigh.  Or reply back to your comments, although I receive them all on my BlackBerry so I will still read each and every one of them.  All in all, I will still be here just a little less frequently.
 
Oh and rest assured, I will still be partying it up every week for {Sew} Modern Monday.  I just might be featuring some of your works rather than some of my own.  We will see.
 
I guess the main point is, thanks to all the wonderful people I have met because of the blogging community!  Every comment and/or e-mail brightens my day. While I might not be able to stay connected as easily with you all, rest assured I will still be here. :)
 

xo, Megan

pretty {little} pouch swap.

Have you heard about the 

Pretty {little} Pouch Swap?
 

It's an awesome new swap started by Michelle from i like orange, too!

and Kelly from kelbysews.

ps...sign ups are open until April 8th.

go check it out.
 

So after officially signing up for the swap this weekend,

I had pouches on my mind.

The solution?  Make one of my own of course.

 

This little guy measures 5" x 8".

 

The front features a herringbone design using some
Midwest Modern by Amy Butler accented with
Kona Med Gray.

 
And for the back I opted for a simpler patchwork pattern
using the same fabrics.

Oh, and here is my inspiration mosaic for my partner.
Yummy goodness.
 

 

1. pretty petal clutch - Explored, 2. Zipped hexie clutch, 3. rainbow zip pouch, 4. linen patchwork zipper pouches, 5. 8 line zip, 6. medium pouch berry stitches, 7. purple bird patchwork large pouch, 8. Ring of stitches, 9. patchwork linen clutch, 10. wonderland pleated clutch SOLD, 11. Hexie pouch, 12. patchwork linen zip pouch, 13. Innocent Crush Notebook Cover, 14. patchwork linen clutch, 15. swap - tiny circle flying geese, 16. AMH zippy pouches

 
I didn't realize until later that I included one picture twice. :)
Must mean I really like that pouch, huh?

Linking up to Fabric Tuesday this week.
Go check it out for even more fabric inspiration.
 
xo, Megan

{Sew} Modern Monday #13

It's Monday,

which means the start of the work week.

But even better than that, 

{Sew} Modern Monday!

This past weekend was filled with all things sewing.  Friday I was able to finally get back to my little red Bernina sewing machine.  Keyword, finally!  Saturday was my first day/night back at work (more on that later) and then it was back to sewing on Sunday.  I started the day out with a bit of quilting, then a little online shopping, and ended it with an impromptu shopping trip to a LQS with the boyfriend and even more fabric goodies.  I will share more on all that business this week, but for now here is a taste of some of the yummy modern goodness that was linked up last week...

Check out this DQS quilt by Felicity Quilts.

Love that center block!

This colorful quilt top from SewCraftyJess is just fabulous!

Did you see this cute check book cover from Sew Sweetness?

Sara is the Queen of all things Amy Butler!

If I could show all of your projects again, I would!  My to-do list just keeps growing each week, so keep those fabulous modern sewing projects coming please! :)

And with that, it's time to link up!  If you need a rules refresher, you can find them here.  New to {Sew} Modern Monday?  Then jump right in and join the fun!

just curious.

I am spending a bit of time this afternoon

doing a little online retail therapy.

shhh...dont' tell the BF :)

So as I am filling my shopping cart with lots of fabric goodies, 

I am curious...

What's your standard fabric cut??

a yard?

a half yard?

a FQ?

xo, Megan

back in the sewing saddle.

Goodbye strep throat.

Hello sewing machine.

 

I think I have officially gotten back in the saddle.

The sewing saddle that is.

Here is what's in the works this afternoon...

Have a great weekend all!

xo, Megan