Sunday, October 6, 2013

Last Minute Stuff

As I approach departure for a trip my "Need to Do Before Leaving" list seems to take on a life of its own. I find myself crossing off a few less critical items just to save my sanity. I was considering doing  that to the line that reads "prepare handwork project," when this arrived from my friend, Annie M. (no blog). It was assembled specifically for plane and airport time.
How cool is this? The little kit contained everything I need to make a dozen of those cute little houses that were known as "Building Houses From Scraps" in blogland last year. It is the perfect project and such a well thought out kit. The pattern pieces are ingeniously stamped on the backs of the fabrics with a rubber stamp from the designer (which you can purchase here, just be advised that shipping to the USA will about double your outlay). The houses are all gorgeous Fall-colored repro fabrics! The kit includes the reference sheet, craft scissors--compatible with TSA rules--needles, and thread. I can just grab it and go. I am so excited and can't thank Annie enough! She did suggest taking a piece of flannel on which to lay out the pieces.
                                                      I decided, instead, to do this.
I cut up the box in which it arrived. The lid was just the right size. Then using my trusty glue gun, I covered it with some pretty repro fabric, and then glued a piece of cotton batting to one side--a mini design wall. On the right you can see the project and the container in which I take my handwork when I am on the road. My little design board fits right inside. You can also see that I got all of the house parts cut out and bagged up. I am set to go!

I am very late in the game with these, but I finally completed two doll quilts for the Get Your Mrs. Claus On project headed up by Debbie (Stitchin' Therapy blog). She has already reached her quota for this year, but I wanted to get them finished before leaving. They will be early for next year. : )


Not much else to share. I have been making more pineapple ornaments for DD#2 to sell at her fundraising booth next month and I've been sewing eye masks for cancer patients to wear during treatments, as part of a service project DS#2 was in charge of at the local university.


I will be absent from blogland for over a week, while I spend time with DD#1 and her DH, meet up with a couple of blog friends, do some sightseeing in New England, and hit a quilt shop or two. Now everyone behave while I'm gone, okay? :)

Until next time,
Janet O.

p.s. When I posted this little quilt in July someone told me the pattern, by Lisa Bongean, had been available free on the internet, but they couldn't find it anymore. I happened to stumble across it and thought I would share the link.

31 comments:

  1. What a fabulous idea to have the fabric stamped! Is this something new?

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  2. Have tons and tons of fun...safe travel! Your doll quilts are precious and the eye masks are just great...what a wonderful project! Have a great trip!

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  3. I know you will have a wonderful time!!! The little kit is adorable and I love those house quilts.

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  4. What a thoughtful gift! Love the idea of stamping fabric like that... I'm glad you'll have some handwork to while away the traveling & waiting hours! The mini design board is perfect...

    Love those doll quilts... esp the quilting. You're getting very good with that, you know!

    Safe travels!

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  5. Love that little kit! And your mini design wall is perfect! Have a great trip.

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  6. What fun little tidbits of info and treasures you shared!!! You are so very clever!!! Have a fun, fun, fun, time!!!! Hugs to your family.

    Blessings!

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  7. Have a wonderful time!! What bloggers are you meeting up with? Cute little goodies you showed...I have a small board also that I work with occasionally. They are great to take along,

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  8. Your Annie S is a treasure and apparently a mind reader, too.

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  9. You are right, what a considerate gift from Annie and soooooooo you!! The doll quilts are precious and of course my fave colors and your quilting is just fabulous!! A couple of lucky girls for sure!! I love the eye masks and what a great project!! Have a wonderful, wonderful trip!!

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  10. Have a wonderful trip and enjoy the fall colors. The doll quilts are sweet and your daughters eye mask project is heart warming.

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  11. You're going to have so much fun - I envy you! Great sewing kit for travel.

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  12. Thanks for the Lisa Bongean link. I've saved it for future use, which might not be too far away.
    I've just gone back through your last 6 or 8 posts, catching up on anything I've missed, and lady, when do you sleep? Your projects are so numerous and fun and varied. You obviously have joy with your quilting, and we appreciate that you share it with all of us
    Getting projects ready for a trip isn't always easy, but what would we do with idle hands? I'm also readying projects for a trip, 4 days of car travel this week into next week.
    Your little houses will be fun to make, I'm sure. Safe travels to you!

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  13. I am glad you found the link for the pattern. I think I will make one.

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  14. Cute cute cute doll quilts! Thank you. Safe travels....we may cross paths and not know it. We head to Michigan to see DD this week. Enjoy your trip, and look forward to seeing the wonderful fall leaves!

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  15. Have a wonderful trip! Love your little kits for traveling. Great idea! And thanks for the source for the free wall hanging!

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  16. How clever is the mini design wall to accompany you on your trip... and how very smart of you to have the house pieces cut out and ready to go!
    Beautiful doll quilts, Janet... your quilting is just lovely!
    Have a wonderful vacation... enjoy the time with your DD and her DH... and enjoy the fall colors of the eastern states!
    As for the rest of us behaving ourselves... now what fun would that be!

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  17. I pre-wrote a few posts before my trip. Have a great time. Who are you going to meet from Block and??? So fun, I met a fellow Jennifer friend last night. No surprise there, lol Me behave??? You know me much better than that. Waiting for my next event and working on my quilts as usual. I'll miss reading your posts while you are gone. Take pics!!!

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  18. Have a great time! What a fun travel project you have...enjoy!
    We will definitely NOT behave while you are gone! LOL

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  19. Is the pattern for the eye masks available online somewhere? I think that would be a GREAT project for our church group. Thanks and hope you have a great time away!

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  20. I will love seeing the little houses you accomplish while you are away. Have a blast Mom!

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  21. Look at you!! I adore that little house pattern -- how fun! And *thank* you for sharing the link to the other little pattern ... just my style/size!! Have a BLAST!!!! And don't forget to shop 'til ya' drop!! :)

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  22. Ps ... if you do wanna share a link for the eye masks, too, that would be very cool!!! :)

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  23. I simply cannot believe all thatyou accomplish! The mini houses kit is just too precious. The eye mask service project is such a wonderful one, what a difference these masks will make to those who need them, they're so pretty too! Enjoy your time in New England; wishing you safe travels, my friend!

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  24. your eye masks are so cool! I bet they are very appreciated.
    What a clever little house kit you've made yourself
    sweet doll quilts - the quilting is awesome!

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  25. Janet hope you have a fabulous trip. I will be interested to see how the ouses come along while you are away. The eye masks are a great idea and I just love your two wee quilts...yummy quilting! Will do my best to behave while you are away!!!

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  26. Have a super time away! Love the little sheep quilt and those house blocks are lovely!

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  27. Never seen a house kit before, when you get back from your great safe trip, fill us in more about it. Never heard about eye masks for cancer patients, I make seat belt holders made from flannel for cancer patients, always a need for items. Most only take minutes to make. Have a super time. Sandi and I have been on a whirl wind ride. She and her sister leave for NY Friday morning.

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  28. Thanks for the link to the little sheep quilt. I, too, would appreciate a link to directions for the eye masks. I'm going to join in on the Mrs Claus project for next year. I have so much fabric and am always looking for charity items to make. Hope you are having a wonderful visit with your daughter and family. Enjoy New England in the Fall.

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  29. So sweet of Annie M. to send you that project kit all ready to go! I'm late with my comment but hoping you have a safe trip and that the two days of steady rain we've had doesn't hit you in NE in a couple of days.

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  30. Hope you are enjoying your trip Janet! I've been a really bad blogging buddy this month, buried under a queen-size quilt I'm trying to finish up for a show next weekend. Love your little houses kit and the ingenious way you prepped with your own little design "wall" - you are too darn smart!!!!

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  31. My my you were busy trying to get out the door. Love all the projects you have got going on...the eye masks are really fun...
    Mary

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