Sweet Ginger Stitches: Been MIA, so so sorry!

The grandkids went home a couple of weeks ago, and I kinda went MIA. I have been enjoying some much needed downtime, and getting back to my sewing. I have a couple of projects to share with you today.

First up is a pincushion I made using an upcoming paper piecing pattern by From Blank Pages. I was so happy to be picked as a tester. Now let me say, this pattern was perfect. No changes needed and clear piecing instructions on the pattern. It will be a great pattern to pick up when she releases it. I'm sure it will be in her Craftsy store soon.

I also finally got around to making the quilt top for my dear FIL. I have been hording these fabric since Houston Quilt Festival last year. I had originally bought a pattern to use, but was really wanting to do something that would really show off the prints in these fabrics. My dear FIL is an old God Fearing Cowboy. A man's MAN. A hard worker, and a very fair and just man. Honest, loving, and caring. I wouldn't trade him for a million dollars. That's how much I love him.

I started with a pattern by In Color Order. I loved the simplicity of this pattern but felt something was missing.

I thought it needed some length added to it due to my dear FIL being a tall man and I wanted to add the Pony Express material I had purchased for this quilt.

I am still considering adding a border to the sides to give it a little more width, but I think he will love it.

I also made another block for the Simply Solids Modern Bee. I debated about how to make this block until the last minute. We were sent the material and the pattern, but I wasn't really sure if the stars were suspose to be all one color or we could mix it up. So of course I went with my gut feeling of how I would want the block to look.

I love how this turned out. Thinking I am going to use this in another quilt I am working on.

That leads me to this shabby chic block I just threw together one afternoon. This is growing quickly as I have started two more of these blocks and now am thinking of doing two star blocks using my shabby chic scraps. The plan is to put this in a modern setting using lots of solid white Kona cotton.

And last but not least, I spent 14 hours yesterday making myself a summer top using some Carnaby Street Fabrics by Pat Bravo Design for Art Gallery Fabrics. I did not use a pattern, I did let lots of bad words come flying out of my mouth, but it was worth it. I had a picture in my head of what I wanted and I can't wait to wear this to work tomorrow. I am so proud of myself for sticking in there and not giving up on this blouse. And I have to say my dear hubby was so sweet to help me pin and repin the shoulder straps. Please let me know what you think~