Fall Quilt

I have a wall in my sitting room that I like to decorate frequently, I change the decorations with the seasons (or whenever I get bored with them). And I just took down the American Flag that has been up since the 4th of July and I have been looking around the house for something sort of fall-ish to replace it with... but, no such luck. So, I decided to make something... a fall-ish looking wall-hanging of some sort.

So, I rummaged through my fabric stash and collected anything that reminded me of fall. I actually had all of these fabrics on hand except for the dark green and an orange fabric that I picked up on a recent trip to Wal-mart.

Since I wanted to make something quick, I went to my easy, no-brainer pattern that I end up doing a lot. I guess I do it a lot because I like it a lot! However, I think it might be time to expand my strip-quilting horizons and try some new patterns... one of these days.

I kinda like that there are no obvious fall references like pumpkins, maple leafs or halloween scenes... it's just a collection fabrics that made me think of fall.

 

I like that it looks like it has some history to it, like if I saw it at a thrift store or a garage sale, I would totally snag it! And I would be really excited to find it! Yeah, I know, I'm cheap, but I'm okay with that. Somehow things have more value to me if they're either cheap, we're a challenge to find or have some sort of interesting story behind them.

 

After I finished the quilt top, I hung it up in the spot that it was intended for. That may have been a mistake. I still need to decide how to quilt it... and the motivation for making that decision has decreased significantly already, since it's already serving it's intended purpose.

 

Hmm... what do you think?
How should I finish it? Should I tie it, have it quilted, or is it time for me to bite the bullet and learn how to machine quilt it myself?

Chances are, it's going to stay just as it is... and I think I'll rummage through my fabric and dream of something else to make. Happy sewing to me! :)

I finally got around to sewing that really cool, old feed bag that I found at the Junk Show.

 I made it for my cousin Lisa's two year old son who has a very manly toy grill that he plays with.

 And his name is Dawson.

I really liked making this. And I hope Dawson likes it too!

We had a little sewing class at church.

 Both of the kids got to make lined zippered pouches.

And I got to learn how to install zippers too! Yay!

Oh, the things we will sew!

Baby and Dolly Quilt

Here's a baby quilt that myself and some other ladies have been working on.

This quilt was touched by many hands. I got to do the sewing of the quilt top, but other hands helped with picking out the fabric, other hands help cut the fabric, another hand got it quilted, and some other hands prepped it for binding and some other hands sewed the binding on. It was a team effort and I'm grateful to have been a part of it.

With the extra squares I sewed up a matching quilt for her doll. Oh, I think it's so cute! I can already picture her with a doll in one hand and the other hand with the little quilt dragging on the floor. Oh, I really hope it gets loved a lot.

I've been wanting to make a quilt like this for awhile. I love how simple and classic it is.  And I love that I got to learn a new, basic quilt-making technique! I also had an inside tip that the mommy who's receiving the baby quilt really likes quilts with small squares. Oh, I think she's going to love it!

New Pillows

I've been having fun sewing again, pillows are one of the projects that I've been working on. Here are the latest ones that I've made.

This one was for my neighbor who just had her first baby. Daddy is a big Seahawks fan, thus the color choice.

This is for a little pumpkin who just turned one!

New "GretaBags"

Just a few "GretaBag's" that I've finished recently.

A Mother-Daughter Set

A really fun swirly tote bag.  Available to purchase here.

Front of "Saddle Bag" Available to purchase here.

Back of "Saddle Bag"

This "Saddle Bag" is a replica of one that I made Elena for her 10th birthday.

She loves it!

I'm headed back to the sewing machine... I have lots of fabric waiting just for me! 

Happy sewing to me!

Burlap coffee bags!

I'm so excited! My hubby is bringing me some burlap coffee bags! I think that's just what I need to get those stagnant creative juices flowing again! Pillows, totebags... oh, I better clear the dining table and set up my sewing machine!

Greta on GretaBag

I'm wife to Erik, stay at home Mom to Elena and Deacon, sister to many, neighbor to few, friend to any. I love fabric. It’s a special day when I make my way to any fabric store. I love to peruse the remnants, sometimes I’ll pick up a yard simply because it’s interesting and I have a feeling that it will soon become my favorite, I know it will grow on me… until the next one comes along that is. I sew for pleasure, I am happiest when I am sewing. I don’t know if I could live without my sewing machine. We don’t hang out together every day, but like a good friend, I’m comforted to know my sewing machine is always there for me. For the last several years, I have been making homemade gifts for my friends and family. As a I sew the item, I think of the person and my love for them and it transforms into a creation made out of love. I’ve been trying out my patterns and designs on my friends and family and they have lovingly dubbed my bags as “Greta Bags.” I hope you’ll enjoy my homemade items and most of all, I hope you’ll treasure your family and friends!

I have an Etsy shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop/GretaBag

Today's bag...

I made another bag today... here's the back...

here's the front...

and here's the inside...

I guess I'm in the mood to sew... ;)

Today's bag

I just finished another bag, I really like it. It's a happy bag that would be great for fall. I'm tempted to keep it, but I decided I will list it on etsy and take a chance that someone else will fall in love with it too.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GretaBag

1st Sale!

Yippee! I just sold my first bag. Wow, that felt good. It feels like a little hint of confirmation that these are sellable...  and the fact that it was bought by a relative, doesn't diminish it too much, I'll take any confirmation I can get! :)
Happy trails "striped bag", I know you will be well loved.
Thank you, sweet relative, you are well loved!

Sauna Bag

The "Sauna Bag" was inspired by my Aunt Sarah’s huge homemade “sauna bag” that she would often bring over on “ sauna nights” (Wednesdays and Saturdays). It held a change of clothes and towels for the whole family, all 11 of them. Saunas were a huge part of our culture growing up in a Finnish community in Minnesota. Living in the Pacific Northwest, saunas are not as handy, so I often find myself packing my own “sauna bag” while in pursuit of the nearest sauna (pronounced sow-na).

Here are other fabrics and colors of "Sauna Bags" that I have done in the past.

 

I did it!

I did it! After months of putting it off, I posted my first items up for sale on etsy.com. 5 GretaBags. I am excited to see where this new adventure will take me. I am certain I will gain new skills, meet new people and have a lot of fun in the process.





Here are the first 5 up for sale.