Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Christmas Throughout the Year

I still have not spent much time in my sewing room of late,
 but do have a few additions for my Christmas Through the Year box.
 Partly, because I have managed to get myself hooked on Pinterest. 
A person can bounce a sleeping baby and surf the net at the same time!
 I resisted; 
but once I found some wonderful links to quilt inspiration, holiday decor, and recipes,
 I succumbed.
Hence,
this cute pincushion.  
You can see all the cute pincushions I have found HERE.
 A few more wool embellishments and he will go in my gift giving box for Christmas. 
My friend Kimber, over at Heirlooms by Ashton House, helped me with the pattern for the owl. I did change it up a bit to make him taller and then I found a free tutorial for a chunky square pincushion by Heather Bailey.  All he needs now are some cute decorative pins.
I would love to make a few these little embroidery and rick rack embellished pin pouffes.
Just need to find a tutorial.  
I have seen a tuna can pincushion tutorial, so I wonder if you could use the same technique with bottle caps to make them miniature?? I did find this tutorial on how to embellish them.

I have finished a few more stockings from Primitive Gatherings
and like this idea for them.

When I do have the motivation, 
I am still working on these.
We are expecting a barrage of out of town guest starting on Easter weekend, so I will not say my goal is to finish my sampler by the end of March. 
Perhaps April?

Stop over at Darlene's and check out what everyone else has added to their gift giving stash.

Monday, March 12, 2012

My part is finished...

and now it will go to a framing shop.
I used silk thread to do the quilting and just echoed the shapes.  
I like the way it came out.
At first, I tried a Sulky Bobbin Lt., but I could not control the tension.
I found that a simple Aurifil 50 wt. cotton thread worked best in the bobbin. 
I love the way a muslin backing looks when quilted.

Now to get back to those pink and black HST units.
Happy Spring!

Friday, March 9, 2012

Not much sewing going on here!

I'm still on a hiatus from my sewing room, but just had to share this quilt.
 I made this quilt a couple of years ago when this precious paper doll fabric came into the shoppe.
Here is a close up of the fabric itself.
I loved the vintage feel of the quilt and put it away in my grandma hope chest.
Now, my granddaughter will play on it!
The pattern I used was from Material Obsessions.

I have also finished all the buttonhole stitching on my wool applique project and have it basted for quilting.  I am still in the pondering phase of what to do though.  Silk thread and simple outline stitching may be the first step.  I plan to actually frame this one, as the designer suggests.
I would like to finish it up and get back to my goal of finishing up some UFOs and WIPs.
Just having too much fun holding our new bundle of joy.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Aunt 'Reen's Modern Jane

Doreen, aka Aunt Reen, is hosting a 13 month QAL for all those interested in doing a modern rendition of the Dear Jane quilt.  Go check her out here:

Me??
I have been AWOL the last week or so with the birth of my beautiful granddaughter.
Since so many pictures are snagged or pinned,
I have opted not to post any pictures...sorry.
Of course, I wish technology had the capability of sharing her smell!

As things settle down around here, 
I'll be back to finish Izzy's Quilt, aka my 1880 Sampler.
Until then...

Fell Off the Wagon

 It was bound to happen. I had stuck to my guns until I saw Laundry Basket Quilts' pattern, Alaska Magic. I told myself,  "It is te...