Free and so Cute...Felt Work!

There is just something fun about working with felt!  And something wonderful...lot's of somethings wonderful...about Red Brolly's blog. One of my favorite projects that she has is the Fairy Mushroom House Pincushion Project. Well worth checking this out! You'll get lost in the wonder of her blog...just glorious!

 Another great wool pattern that has caught my attention of late is this Spring Penny Rug pattern by Julie Popa. It is free over at That Patchwork Place site by Martingale Publications. You have to register/sign-in to get the free downloads...but they don't cost anything! And, there are several free patterns to choose from...quilts, purses, and this cute little penny rug! Of course, you might be tempted to purchase other patterns or books while at the site too! This little rug makes me think of Spring...and forget that the cold winter winds are getting ready to blow!

Thread Cards

Yesterday, I spend some time wrapping gorgeous silk ribbon around thread cards. Now, they are neatly lined up in a small box, instead of squished into baggies. I have a few more to go...but thought that you might find a use for these thread cards yourself.The graphic are cropped and combined; their original source is the Graphics Fairy website. Mine have my initials in the little pink circle...but thought you could use that space to put the color number. There is also a little white box below this circle to write the thread color name. Open a word document and paste/place the photo file there...spread it to fill the page and print. These are obviously in color, although I printed mine in black and white onto card stock paper. I then glued a second piece of card stock to the back to make it stronger for wrapping. Enjoy!

Free Design Booklet

Do you like to design you own CQ Seams? Here is a little design booklet that you might find helpful. It is in pdf format...and contains grids for doodling your seams. This is the cover.

And these are two of the four inside page options. 

 You can print as many of each page as you like after downloading the pdf file.Enjoy and be creative!

Lady Elf

If you like elfs you might like to embroidery this design. If you don't like elfs, you could easily "round out" the top of her ear to make it a lovely lady portrait.

Free Online Quilt Magazine

Check out this FREE Online Quilt Magazine...just starting. I have no affiliation with this magazine, but hope it goes well! We quilters love inspiration!

Beaded Button Tutorial

A few of the ladies on HGTV Message Board had a beaded button swap not long ago.

We decided to make the use of button "blanks" optional...so I created a tutorial on how to make beaded buttons, without having to purchase button kits.

Here's the link to the tutorial if you want to make your own beaded buttons!

Stitch Templates

I've been posting about stitch templates since beginning the Twelve Dozen in Twelve Months (TDiTM) series of stitches. And, I have always had to direct readers to the free wiki site that has the files loaded...since it is not possible to upload pdf files directly to the blog.

However, through a handy tip about blogging...I have found you can upload any pdf file (that you don't mind being in the public domain) directly to Adobe and they will store it free of charge. And they provide you with a handy link code for you to re-insert into your blog so folks can find the file.

So, I thought I'd share a favorite template sheet of mine; and hope you enjoy working with these. The file takes a minute to load, so have patience. Then just print...copy to a transparent sheet (any copy place can do this...we used to call these "over-head projection sheets"). Cut the template into different strips so each stitch is it's own separate template. Punch out the little black "dots" so you have holes for your needle...and viola! Your own templates...and they are free!

Link: https://acrobat.com/#d=BI0Dlp1fzJb1IolnhEYoEw


Or just copy the image above, and paste in into any word or publishing or paint document. Re-size as you wish! Just, don't resale it as that would be against my copy write.


Of course, if you would prefer not to do all of this work...I will do it for you at a minimal cost...just send me a note. Or if you are on Facebook...just send a message to Shawkl Design Studio and we'll work out the details.

And, the CQ Wiki site has more of my free templates...just go back to the first posting about TDiTM to find out how to get to the site.

If you enjoy using templates for your stitching...you might want to do a web search because there are companies that do sell various templates. Primarily they are plastic sheets that have holes punched in them in various grid patterns. Most come with a booklet that shows you which holes to use for what type of stitches. These are good...and I own about five different types! However, I frankly don't use any of them...I don't have the time to "figure out" which hole every time I want to do a stitch...so, I created my own. I like seeing the triangle, or herringbone, or circle...etc. It makes it faster for me to pick up a template and "draw" some dots on my seams so I can stitch faster with great results. And, I don't mind sharing...which is why you get them free...if you don't mind doing a little of the work.

Free Baby Blanket Pattern

Here's a new shadow applique pattern for you. It is fast and easy! So, if you have new babies entering your life...consider making this scrappy little quilt.

The center design and four corners are shadow-work applique...just fuse the pieces down, cover with chiffon or organza, and stitch a simple running stitch (quilt stitch) around each piece.

The pattern pieces and the pattern layout are both pdf files and I have uploaded them into my adobe acrobat account. Just click and they are available to you...free!

Enjoy!

If you like working with shadow applique, don't miss the angels, florals, and fairies in the Studio...link to my shop is at the top of the page.

New Template

I just loaded the 4th template onto the CQ Wiki Site. It is free after you log in. Scroll down under the CQ Lessons and Info and select the templates folder.

Any/all of the template sheets can be printed onto clear velum. If you don't have velum, print them onto paper...and take that to any local office supply store that makes copies. Request a "transparency" to be made...they are less than $2 each...some places charge less than $1 each.

After you have your clear velum print or transparent copy. Cut the page into strips, allowing each of the individual template to be a single strip. Use a tiny (1/16th size) hole punch (available in the scrap booking section of any hobby store)...to punch out the marked holes. Each marked hole represents the "spot" for the needle to enter the cloth to create the templates' stitch.

This is an easy process...and a great time saver! It also produces uniform base stitches for this challenge...then follow along and stitch all of these combination of very basic seam treatments for your Crazy Quilt projects!

The templates are at http://crazyquilting.pbworks.com

TDiTM Template Loaded

Morning All!

The next few (dozen) stitches will be based on a circular shape...as I'm tired and bored of zigzags!! (And you probably are too!)

We'll still keep the basics the same...french knot, lazy daisy, straight, and chain stitches. So, if you can master these simple elements...you can do the entire 45 stitches I have already posted....and those scheduled to follow.

I'm considering some other stitches after we pass the first 10 dozen completed...but we'll just see how that goes!...nothing too radical however; cause this is supposed to be for us "newbies"...

You can get the new stitch template at http://crazyquilting.pbwiki.com

Just scroll down and find the Templates by Shawkl (Kathy) area...and click. Three templates are available that you can use for marking Crazy Quilt seams...

The site does require that you create a login/password....sorry, that's just how it works...but we don't do anything with the information. You'll just need to remember it to download files.

Look around while you're there...as there are great photos of CQ endeavors...and lessons...from us gals at the HGTV.com message boards. Heck, while you're at it...come on over to www.HGTV.com and say hello. You'll have to scroll down to the very bottom of the front page....on the left side "message boards" will be in a tiny box of "additional things" on their site. They have lot's of active message board topics...like gardening, decorating, etc...but we're under the "Crafts" category...and then "Needlework and Quilting".....

The templates files are pdf format, so all should be able to print them out. They fit standard size paper. Take the printed sheet to your local copier and have them create a transparency for you (or print them on transparent sheet if you have them)...Cut the "rows" of stitches out...then punch holes where the little black dots are. This will create seam templates you can use to mark your stitch base (circle, half circle, oval, zigzag, etc). Just lay the little plastic seam strip down, and use a regular #2 pencil to place a "dot" in each hole you punched. Voila!! Now you have a guide to stitch perfect seams!

Oh, and use a tiny hole punch...you can find them in the scrapbook section. Get the single hand held type...they're less than $10.

Now, I'm off to daycare for a little while...then, will try to get the first few of the half-circle base stitches loaded for you to try out!