Plum Patchwork

January Inspiration

January 26, 2012 by Jessica · 1 Comment

As I predicted, life has become super busy, which I’m sure you could see when I blogged about my vitamins. Or maybe you just thought I was weird. Anyway, not the point.

The point is, I don’t have anything new to write about unless you want to see photos of a bunch of Craigslist furniture disassembled and in the process of being sanded.

Didn’t think so.

So, I figure the best way to distract people from the fact that I haven’t done anything is to point them in the direction of folks who have done something, and hope that somehow reflects upon me. Right?

So here we go:

First, you should totally check out Megan at Crooked Seams. Not only is she totally adorable and a super gifted quilter, she’s also got a wicked sense of humor. Plus, she designed and made this NCSU quilt, which kind makes her my hero.

Quilt by Megan of Crooked Seams

What can I say? Go Pack!

Filed Under: Uncategorized ·

This Is Easily My Most Random Post To Date

January 24, 2012 by Jessica · 1 Comment

So, I still take gummy vitamins. Like a four year old.

Yeah….

See, I take my vitamins in the morning while I’m fixing my coffee and at that unholy hour, I just can’t bear the idea of choking down that big old vitamin pill with the funky One-A-Day taste. But with the gummies, I’m all Peter Griffin in family guy – “Ooh, Piece a Candy!” and I actually take them. Of course, I don’t remember to take them unless they’re right there on the counter beside the coffee machine, which leads me to the point of this post:

Kinda tacky, yes? Plus, it announces to everyone who sets foot in my kitchen that I still take gummy vitamins. Like a four year old.

It finally got to me last night as I was cleaning the countertops and I decided I had to do something about it. Right. Now. I took a couple of canning jars, spray painted the rings with oil rubbed bronze paint, and put my vitamins inside. The shiny gold lids got covered with scrapbook paper circles that I cut out with my Silhouette.

Yes, I realize I could have just cut them with scissors, but when you give a Manufacturing Engineer a Computer Numerically Controlled paper cutter, naturally she’s going to use it for everything. I’d use it to trim my toenails if I could.

Anyway. Here’s what I ended up with.

It’s an improvement anyway.

And this concludes my most random post ever.

Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With: Confessions

The Last Of The Pinwheels

January 22, 2012 by Jessica · 7 Comments

Are you breathing a sigh of relief? I know I am.

The block above is my substitute for Block #7. I wasn’t feeling the framed pinwheel Rachel called for, I guess. The block is a scaled-up version of the pinwheel from the State Fair Schnibbles pattern from Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co. I’m having second thoughts about it now, but we’ll see how it turns out in the finished quilt. These blocks used far too much of my precious Hope Valley fabric to replace them now.

By the way, I apologize for the awful photos. I haven’t seen the sun, literally, in a week.

Next up is Block #8. For this block, Rachel directed us to choose a pinwheel block of our own, to make our quilt uniquely ours. I chose this double pinwheel block, and I have to admit I am a little tiny bit in love with it.

So that’s it. I promise, no more pinwheels until this baby is put together and ready to quilt.

What have you been working on?

Note: This project may be linked up at some or all of the following parties, depending on my caffeine intake. Either way, you should definitely stop by!

Monday: <a href=”http://www.canoeridgecreations.com”>Sew Modern Monday @ Canoe Ridge Creations</a>

Tuesday: <a href=”http://quiltstory.blogspot.com”>Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story</>

Wednesday: <a href=”http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com”>WIP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced</a>

Filed Under: Quilts · Tagged With: Quilts

It’s A Garden Party

January 18, 2012 by Jessica · Leave a Comment

Attention quilters: This is really cool!

Jennifer over at Sew Hooked will be hosting a Block A Day Blog Hop this April to celebrate her birthday. The theme is garden party and there will be a new paper (foundation) pieced block each day, created by a different designer. I’m scheduled to share a block on April 17th!

There’s still space for more designers, so if you feel up to designing a block, scoot on over and sign up for a day!

PS: Don’t know how to paper piece? I’ll be sharing a tutorial during the month of March with a small paper piecing project – it’s easy, I promise. If you can sew a straight line, you’re good to go!

Filed Under: Uncategorized ·

Are You Sick of Pinwheels Yet?

January 18, 2012 by Jessica · Leave a Comment

Blocks #6 complete – I’m almost there!

Filed Under: Quilts · Tagged With: Quilts, Sewing

More Pinwheels

January 16, 2012 by Jessica · 2 Comments

I got a little bit of time over the weekend to work on my pinwheel sampler. Block #5 is now complete:

I also whipped up another selvage block:

It feels so good to be playing with fabric again!

I hope everyone had a good weekend!

I’m linking up at:

Filed Under: Quilts · Tagged With: Quilts

That Looks Better Already

January 15, 2012 by Jessica · 2 Comments

Remember the before?

My new bench is stained, covered with Polyurethane, and installed in my room. Now I just need to sew a cushion for it (waiting on fabric to arrive).

Quite an improvement, don’t you think?

Filed Under: Decorating · Tagged With: Bedroom, Decorating

This Used to be a Quilt Blog

January 14, 2012 by Jessica · 2 Comments

Oh my gosh, ya’ll.

I’m kind of embarassed to even go here, but it’s all I’ve got to write about, so here you go.

Block 4 of Rachel’s Pinwheel Sampler Quilt Along. Yes, the one from January. Of 2010.

I really, really meant to keep up with this one. But life got in the way, it got set aside, I lost my sewing machine under a massive heap of ~~crap~~ fabric, and I’ve not done a ton of sewing since. Believe me, I’m not proud of that.

I think the reason I haven’t been sewing much lately is because I feel like I need to finish this quilt before I start another one. It’s been sitting around so long. Plus, the fabrics (Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt, of course) were from the FQ bundle my Mom got me for Christmas. Of 2009.

There’s been a tiny bit of quilt guilt that’s kept me from starting anything new.

The sad thing is, I’m still in love with the pattern and the fabrics. And this will be the first quilt I’ve made just for me (for some reason the ones made as gifts actually get done in a timely manner).

So, I’m back to work on my sampler. My friend Ansje (who has long since given up nagging me about getting this finished) will be thrilled – or disgusted. She cranks out like a quilt a week. She’s amazing!

Anyway, here’s my block(s) 4. I used a couple of my favorite fabrics for these since they stand out so much. I must say, I love them!

What have you been working on?

I’m linking up at:

Filed Under: Sewing · Tagged With: Quilts, Sewing

Master Bedroom Mood Board

January 13, 2012 by Jessica · 6 Comments

Here’s a little mood board I whipped up for my bedroom

I would sure love some advice, as I’ve never planned or designed a room before. What works? What doesn’t work? The only thing I’m totally attached to is the blue duvet cover!

Master Bedroom – Rev 1 by plumpatchwork on polyvore.com

Note: This project may be linked up at some or all of the following parties, depending on my caffeine intake. Either way, you should definitely stop by!

Monday: Sew Modern Monday @ Canoe Ridge Creations Tutes & Tips Not To Miss @ Home Stories A to Z

Tuesday: Show Me What Ya Got @ Not JUST A Housewife Tuesday’s Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wednesday: WIP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced Hooking Up With HoH @ House Of Hepworths Overflowing With Creativity @ It’s Overflowing

Thursday: Transformation Thursday @ Shabby Creek Cottage

Friday: Weekend Wrap Up@ Tatertots and Jello Refresh Your Nest @ Making Lemonade Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest Come Party With A Blonde @ A {Blonde’s} DIY Life

Saturday: Saturday Seven @ Positively Splendid

Sunday: Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Filed Under: Decorating · Tagged With: Bedroom, Decorating

I {heart} Craigslist

January 12, 2012 by Jessica · 4 Comments

Isn’t Craigslist fantastic?

I just thought I’d pop in and show ya’ll a couple of finds I scored for the master bedroom project over the weekend. Kona and I rode all over town on Saturday, picking up furniture and hauling it around in my little two-door coupe.

First up is a pair of matching side tables / nightstands. They cost me $30 apiece, which is a little more than I’d hoped to spend, but they were the perfect thing, so I decided to jump on them. I just love the window detailing (I snagged the photos from the listings, so please forgive their crappiness).