Winter Time Quilts as Summer Starts

I've always thought it would be really cool to make a lone star quilt.

They look so complex, but I think I'm ready to take on the challenge.

(That and the pattern I am using makes it pretty easy)

I found an awesome kit on connectingthreads.com around Christmas time and was able to catch it when it went on clearance for half price. I picked up an extra kit for another friend so we could motivate each other to complete it.

 (Unfortunately Connecting Threads no longer lists the kit or else I would try for some better photos :/)

School has kept me so busy that I haven't gotten a chance to start,

 but I took some time today to start making some cuts. 

I'm excited to watch this quilt come together.

And just a side note.... Take the stickers off the self-healing mat 

BEFORE you start cutting!

Otherwise you get to pick hundreds of little pieces off the board. 

Also be sure to wipe off any sticky residue that is left behind.

Dresden Plate Pillow

or at least the top of the pillow...

I'm on spring break from school so its given me a little more time to relax and craft. Except for the fact I've been working a 5am shift at work.

I've wanted to try out the Dresden plate pattern for awhile but so many other ideas have already filled up my crafting cue.

Today I decided to grab some scraps and make a "mini" version (the blue is a 12" square) after some inspiration from here. I even made my own paper template!

In other crafting news around here...

I managed to make some double fold binding and stitch it onto my hexagon quilt, only to find out the outside corners were stitched wrong. :'(

So, much to my dismay I had to rip it out.

Its sitting in a bundle on the couch reminding me it needs to be finished. Maybe I will get around to it by the time school starts.

Denim Cuffs for Robot Arms and Hexagon Quilts

This last week has been crazy, but luckily I knocked back school 

long enough to work on some projects for myself.

 As part of the Engineering Club at my school, I have been helping to build a robotic arm. This is the prototype we showed off at the club fair. I also built that robot costume sometime last year, and reused it to help promote our table. I made someones day when the fair was over by giving them the costume which I had no further use for.

 The week has had some beautiful weather. I thought I might share a snapshot of what my drive is like. This is on the way home, and its even better on the way to school. I hope to get a picture of the beautiful mountains I get to enjoy during my morning drive.

 This has been my most recent project. Finally yesterday I got a chance to finish the top (After knocking back a 3 hour online physics test).

Now I just need to find a good backing fabric. I considered using solid black because the front is so busy. Thoughts? Its also going to be tricky to bind because it has a tricky edge.

I stitched this guy up tonight.

Its a bracelet/cuff I made out of an old pair of blue jeans, remnants of a quilt back, some ribbon and a cool button. I'm planning on making a few more and will maybe try my hand at a tutorial of how to make them.

Hopefully I can find a little more time on weekends to sew some more. I'm looking forward to summer. 

The sun puts me in a good mood to sew!