A Short Video of some Motifs/Techniques Learned in the Free Courses!
Here is my newest pattern! Fiesta Stars is in the Etsy shop now. The stars are done on paper foundations..so are easy to assemble. Just print the pattern pages...trim...sew on the line and combine the pieces to create a block.
If you love paper piecing technique...you will love working on this quilt. If you look closely at the pattern front...you will also see some hexagon shapes with the stars.
This is for "flexibility"...and is actually a second pattern, within this first star pattern. These hexagon center blocks could be mixed with the stars or done alone as in the photo above. This block is a great way to accent a favorite fabric (you know the one...it sits on the shelf because we just can't bare to cut into it!...ha, we all have at least one fabric like that). So, us it as the hexagon center shape...and then repeat for your border fabric if you like!
Or...just use the stars, repeated...and no hexagon center blocks. Versatility!
The Fiesta Flowers can be done as traditional applique or as fusible applique pieces, depending on what technique you like the best.
Have finished up some paperweights...shabby chic style. These are weighted with wood bases covered in felt so that the do not scratch any type of desk or table. Each has ribbon work and beaded accents.
Hoped to get more done, but managed only five this week. But, that's better than not getting anything stitched I suppose. Ha! Got to find the positive!
Managed two thimble cases finished...and have three more with the embroidery work done. Hope to get these done by December.
Did you notice? We are at 999 followers! One more and we will be in 4 digit numbers! That's so cool!
Hugs to all!
I'm working on more thimble cases today. This is little Brady's first week of daycare...so I have some extra time on my hands...and, I sold the last of my thimble cases on Etsy last week. I sure miss having a baby underfoot however...it seems kind of quiet here this week too!
I managed to get two cases finished...and they are loaded on Etsy now. So, next...I'm working on some cross-stitch versions using waste canvas.
Have you been crafting lately? It's so hot here now, staying inside is the only way to breath!
Hugs to all!
I posted the other day about my book being on sale for a little longer...and today is the last day. Tomorrow, the price on my Etsy shoppe goes up to $20. So, if you want the book for $14...better get hopping today.
Little Brady goes to daycare next month; and I hope to get some more thimble cases made in July. Thanks to everyone who has been asking me about new things. And, thanks for such a warm reception to my table-top embroidery/CQ/needlework hoops!
Hugs,
I'm still working on thimble cases...and really enjoying these little treasures. It is fun to work in such a small scale...and challenging since the main work area is only about one inch tall.
And while it still takes a few hours to make one...the real work is in thinking up an idea that will fit such a small area. But, designing is fun...as you already know! These are also easy to pick-up and put-down so I can work on them during nap times with Brady. The little dusty rose one has bullion and french knot flowers...like a little garden.
The green one has berries of seed beads and a trailing vine.
My muse is happy working on these...and that's a great stress buster too. And, I've needed that particularly lately!!
These two are added to my Etsy shoppe.
This weekend I made a thimble case for a friend...with silk ribbon roses on the sides. The case is hard plastic lined, not with cardboard which would be an issue if it got wet. The liner is covered in wool felt, not craft felt. It should last a long, long time!
The inside has a wool covered bead that is secured to the bottom. This will hold the thimble in place and should keep it from rolling around.
The little closure is a stone bead in pink with a pink elastic band. It was the only little elastic band I had...and wasn't it fortunate that it was pink...just perfect. I had such fun making this little case that I did two more for the Etsy Shoppe.
The first has lilac and roses on the case.
And the next has SRE sunflowers. I have enough plastic liners to create about six more...if I can think of some embroidery ideas for them.
The plans for the craft show in June have fallen through.
However, I know have a bunch of projects already "in the works".
Sooooo, my solution is to put them up on my Etsy shoppe. If you might be interested in any of these (CQ Purse, SRE Compact Mirror, Lg Silk Coin Purse) as gifts for yourself or a friend...please go and have a look.
These little pin cushions are almost done. They may look finished, but I still have to do a little stitching around the bottom of most of them.
I'll list these on the Etsy site (whatever do I need with eight more pincushions...??)
These are my Muse's attempts to procrastinate...cause she does not want to stitch more draperies. She is in drapery hell! (and is such a whiner!)...
Thought you might like to see some stitching...so here are closeups of the seam stitching on the tops of the pin cushions.
Of course, I'm using my own templates from my book for these...and adding beads, buttons, and sequins. Every bauble is stitched at least three times...so they won't "dangle" after loads of use. I added some crushed walnut shells to them so that they have some weight. They could be used as paperweights on a desk...instead of pin cushions too. (That's what I did with mine when I was working...and got loads of comments on it.)
Hope you are having a great day!
Well, I'm almost all packed and ready to depart for my retreat. Have to gather supplies for a class that I'm taking, then I'll only have my laptop, clock, and phone charger to tuck away on Tuesday morning...and I'll be all set! Woot! Woot!
While packing up my boutique items, I decided at the last minute to take these Silk Ribbon Embroidery Pendants with me. They were created to add to my Etsy shop, but thought the ladies at the retreat might like them too...so, we'll see. If there are any left...I'll put them on Etsy when I get back.
Here is a closeup of four...I was too lazy to open them ALL back up and get photographs...but was sure you might be curious about how them looked up close.
All of the beaded items in the Etsy shoppe are traveling to Branson, MO with me this month...and hoping to sale all of them. So, if you have been wanting a beaded scissors fob; or a gorgeous beaded spider necklace; or some crystal Christmas earrings...better get them now. Cause what ever is on the site will be pulled for the trip in a couple of weeks...an will not be made again.
Hugs! I'm been lazy most of the day...and planning on watching television (movies) with Aidan this evening...so not getting much done.
Did finish some curtains and a changing table cover for my niece today...and repaired a little dress that she has pulled the elastic out of. Still working on my Alphabet Soup blocks...but no new projects to share.
Hope y'all are having a very relaxing Saturday...and weekend!
Working today on a set of Alphabet Soup blocks. These are fusible applique letters in golden brown batik, with spicy mustard colored stem stitch embroidered around the edge.
I'm almost finished with this first stage...next comes the embroidery of the vines and flowers.
Then, assembly of the quilt top...
BTW, thanks to everyone for such a warm welcome to this new pattern; I hope you enjoy stitching the blocks....and that you'll share a photo when your version is completed.
Hugs!
I've been working on some embroidery designs for a while, took me longer than I thought it would...but, now...finally...they are ready! And, I'm very pleased with the final pattern!
The little quilt is 30 x 30 and uses twelve letters. However, all 26 letters of the English alphabet are included within the pattern...so you can pick and choose.
Can't choose? That's okay...just use them all and enlarge the quilt!
Each design fits nicely in the center of a 6 1/2 inch fabric square.
Or, just enlarge or reduce and use the designs for other projects...
there are endless possibilities!
Just ask my muse!
The designs can be stitched fast by using simple open style stitches like
these...
Or, use fabric for the letter...and closed style stitches like these...
...(pay no attention to the fact that I forgot to stitch two of the French Knots before taking this photo...geez!)
If you choose to use applique fabric as your method...you could...
Blanket stitch the edge of the fusible letters...
or, use needle-turn applique methods...
or, silk ribbon florals w/wool crewel embroidery...
or, gold work...see, my muse is still thinking!
The color palette is dependent on your choice of fabrics...
The pattern can be ordered in my Etsy Shoppe now!
