Snow Mates.
Posted on September 30, 2012 | 11 Comments
I have completed the little wall hanging that was well under way last week. It has grown from this…
To this ………
I had wanted to play with different colours to see how they worked.
The original has been done with white ribbons for the snowmen on a natural linen. That one is now at the LQS (Sewing Connection) as a sample, along with the patterns for the project.
The only thing I am missing for the blue snow-mates is a little bird button. I will have to track down another one of these.
I have really enjoyed the huge selection of ribbons available to make these, but have struggled to find a reasonable selection of white buttons. The majority of small white buttons are mostly the transparent type. I am after the solid colour that really does look white. That search will have to continue.
The Snow-mates pattern has used a lot of the techniques from the Ribbon Tree pattern from last year.
And of course I had to play with different colours for that one, too.
There are now ideas running around inside my head about some small decorations using the ribbons. I will let you know if they work and will be happy to share them.
Snowflakes.
Posted on September 28, 2012 | 9 Comments
Snowflakes in September! I shouldn’t joke about that. The way our weather is here, anything is possible, even though it is Spring.
My snowflakes refer to the felt ornaments I have been making. The first group are made using a mitten shape from one of the patterns from Rachel’s Of Greenfield.
I have than added my own touch. I have use a Stampin’Up die to cut the snowflakes using the Sissix. A little bit of embroidery has been added using the pattern ideas.
Once the idea of cutting the snowflakes had worked I decided to work on some more decoration ideas I had seen on Pinterest. I made a star template and also used the snowflake die cuts again. Same idea with a little embroidery and lots of buttons. I started with the red felt then started to play with the pink and the lavender.
I enjoy working with felt and it is always good to have a hand sewing project like this on hand.
Just a quick note on cutting the snowflakes with the die – I found that it worked best when I ironed vliesofix onto the felt first. I also ran the die through the machine twice for each flake.
If anyone has tips on better ways to cut the felt using the dies I am interested to hear about it.
Paper And Pins.
Posted on September 24, 2012 | 6 Comments
I have hardly had a chance to play with paper these last few months, so it has been great to get a few cards made. I really do need to get some scrap-booking done as the photos for this year are piling up. And I also need to think about getting some ideas for Christmas cards.
So far all I have done is a couple of cards for birthdays.
The pins part of the heading refers to me playing with ribbons. I have already made a couple of little wall hangings and decided to change the colours for this one. It should be ready to show in a couple pf days.
Not hard to work out, is it?
Playing With More Felt.
Posted on September 12, 2012 | 9 Comments
My little felt snowmen are completed. They are all stitched, filled and decorated. I even remembered to add a hanging thread.
I hope to make another batch of these, but am happy with this lot for now.
These are from a pattern and kit by Rachel’s of Greenfield, called Snow Folk.
I have another kit from the same company. This one has little gift envelopes.
They are a suitable size for gift cards.
Spring has gently eased its way in. The days are finally warmer and even though we are having extremely windy days, it has been a pleasure to be in the garden.
Can’t resist when there are lovely flowers around.
Favourite Colours – Red And White!
Posted on August 30, 2012 | 8 Comments
I have gone back to playing with my favourite combination of red and white.
I received some gorgeous blocks stitched by the amazing Pauline – Quilt-n-Queen. Pauline does the most beautiful stitching. I wanted to use the blocks in a quilt and make sure they were the focal point and not have the piecing take over. I ended up making very simple hourglass blocks in red and white, then alternating them with the stitcheries.
I hope to be doing the quilting on this top in the next few weeks. Pauline has chosen blocks that are appropriate to my state and I do love the selection.
But there is one block that is not on the front. I have saved that for a label on the back, and that seems appropriate because this building was always found out the back. :)
Thank you, Pauline, for your generosity.
A Top Completed.
Posted on August 28, 2012 | 11 Comments
After many months of cutting and juggling blocks, it is lovely to see this quilt top completed with all borders attached.
I have really struggled with photos over the last few days with the overcast and windy weather. Thankfully the frame stayed upright long enough to snap this pic.
I still am fascinated with the kaleidoscope process that created this quilt from just the one fabric. The border shows how the fabric looked before it was cut up into these little squares, then rearranged and sewn into blocks.
I am also pleased that there has been very little wastage. I barely have a fat quarter left.
Now to think about plans for quilting.
Block Work.
Posted on August 20, 2012 | 10 Comments
I really enjoy the way some blocks can be made in such a simple way to give quite a striking result.
I wanted to make these ????? blocks and saw that they were made quite simply using jelly roll strips. They are normally cut using a 90 degree triangle template, but I didn’t have one of those so I used my 6 1/2 inch square. It has a diagonal line across it that can be lined up with the edge of the jelly roll strip. Then it is just a case of alternating the template to cut the triangles.
Once they are cut it is easy to arrange each group of four into a block. I have found that I can cut 8 triangles from a jelly roll strip, so therefore can make 2 full blocks from each strip combination.
Here’s a different one sewn together but not trimmed up yet.
The fabric range is Sleepytime by Moda. I am looking forward to seeing how all these blocks look when they are together.
I have also been preparing a few felt decorations for that merry time at the end of the year. These are now ready for a little bit of hand stitching.
I think that jolly time at the end of the year is going to sneak up very quickly now.
Have a great week.
Keeping The Cold Away.
Posted on August 10, 2012 | 12 Comments
Yes, it’s Winter and I just have to get used to it. A lot of the trees around here have signs of Spring with their pretty blossom, but the wind, rain and low temps are keeping us well rugged up.
This quilt top is definitely aimed at Summer. It is made with a selection of beach fabrics and I have crab fabric for the backing.
I am starting to accumulate a few tops so I need to do some quilting and binding to catch up.
I have enjoyed a little time lately doing some knitting. I do enjoy little baby jumpers as they come together very quickly.
Hope these are warm and snuggly.
And just for fun, I made a few of these.
I do hope you have a wonderful weekend planned.
Steaming Along.
Posted on August 2, 2012 | 9 Comments
I have been able to piece together all the blocks for my kaleidoscope quilt with all the sashing complete.
(Unfortunately the colours in the photo vary due to weather conditions and the wind blowing the quilt.)
I wanted to run a small border of green around the whole quilt in the same fabric I had already used, but unfortunately I ran out. I will have to hunt around for more, or find a substitute. I can then use the original floral fabric in a larger border.
Here are a few more pics from our holiday. We went to the Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights Preserve in DE. It was a great venue for 3 generations. I enjoyed the house tour, the other adults loved the engines and the children were able to ride on trains, cars and a bus – all powered by steam. There was even a steam popcorn maker!
Keeping Warm.
Posted on July 26, 2012 | 9 Comments
It is a rarity to have snow in our area, but it still doesn’t stop thoughts about snowmen. There are so many lovely stitcheries around for Winter. When they are small and easy to finish like this one it is hard not to be tempted.
This is a free pattern from Rustic Threads. I would like to do a few more and turn them into little pillows or pin cushions.
In the middle of Winter it is lovely to have a quilt or blanket to snuggle under to keep warm.
What could be better than a hand knitted blanket?
No, I did not make this. My hubby did. In fact, he made it from scratch. He bought several different coloured fleeces, then spun the fleeces into knitting wool.
He then knitted all the squares and stitched them together. I may be biased but I think that’s impressive.
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