Curved piecing and piping

Since starting my exploration of bags, cases, etc in my sewing designs, I have noticed a pattern. I am completely addicted to curved (and completely unnecessary) seams and piping. It must be the added joy at the end of the project because these two things are NOT ideal additions to the frustrations of being new to design.
Piping is fairly straight forward. I buy the prepared packages and simply baste it to the correct location, then stitch it into the
seam using a zipper foot.
Curved edges are another story. Even with plenty of experience, I can't help but sigh at the direction "ease fullness" in a sewing pattern. Gathers and extreme curves.... ugh!
But I'm crazy and keep adding them in my patterns. How do you do it? I learned to figure it out by reading a quilting book. Rhapsody Quilts by Ricky Tims - I would love to make one of these quilts. However I don't have the time or finances for one any time soon. The book is worth it though. All the tips on the tricky piecing that can result in the rhapsody designs can easily be applied to your other projects. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1571204563
The only other thing I'll say about the project being shown is that the appliqué is going to be EPIC. Finished pictures up in a couple weeks! Happy sewing!

What will it be?

Working on a new project - if it turns out well it may become part of my pieces available for sale!

Winter craft summary

With classes over for the year, I'm hoping to spend a good amount of time this summer not only on my professional life but my craft life!  Accountability post:  I decided to open an Etsy shop this year and will have it up and running by the middle of the summer.  There - now anyone reading this can hold me to that statement.
  As I stated several months ago (before Christmas, yikes!) there has been a lot of crafting going on that I haven't posted.  So this will be an update of the crazy holiday crafts before I dive in to my new projects.

Tree ice cubes with frozen fruit

  I had a craft day with some of the fabulous ladies that I am in school with right after Thanksgiving.  The ice cubes were definitely a point of interest!  I highly recommend making them for parties - you'd be amazed at the conversation value of fruit in ice...

Newspaper, snowflakes, and glitter glue

  Being in my (insert crazy number)th year of college, wrapping paper isn't really something I want to be spending money on.  Also, I needed something that wouldn't be too fancy since all my gifts were going to be shoved in a suitcase on an airplane for the first time.  Thank goodness for newspaper!  Using some Pinterest templates as ideas for snowflakes and some glitter glue, the newspaper wrapping turned out to look pretty classy.  The glue coating on top also helped prevent any ripping or holes while in transit.

  This was easily my biggest project in December.  One of my friends had his first child just before Christmas - a pretty cold time of year in the Midwest!  So the baby obviously needed a blanket.  This is a standard log cabin pattern that ending up being more of a lap quilt size than a crib size.  The backing is flannel, which I love using in place of muslin or regular broadcloth cotton.  So much more cuddly that way!

Summer project posts coming up soon!