A LITTLE QUILTING, A LITTLE CROSS STITCHING

Winter has finally arrived here in Northern Ohio near Lake Erie.  We actually got our first real snow yesterday; windy, blowing snow.  Didn't bother me a bit because I didn't have to leave my house:-)

Crazy here this year!  Not complaining, when you can go shopping in 50 degree plus weather in January in Ohio:-)  My friend and I were out cross stitch pattern hunting yesterday, and it felt like a spring day. Of course, the next day was winter!  Gotta love it.

I haven't posted since November, but I have been busy.  I did the binding on a Quilt of Valor I made through our Quilt Guild.  I pieced a backing for another Quilt of Valor to go with the front that I had worked on.  I just need to finish up the presentation pillowcase and get the binding cut so it can be bound after it has been machined quilted by one of our Guild members. That needs to be done by Thursday.

I made a Red & White quilt for our December challenge thru Kathleen Tracey's Small Quilt Talk Group.

BARN LOVING!

This will also be entered in our Quilt Guild's quilt show in October of this year.  I have always wanted to make this pattern, love log cabin quilts and barns.  Got both in this quilt.  lol

My Cottage Romance Quilt still needs to be sandwiched and hand quilted.  I'm pretty sure this is going to be a March/April project.  I'm pretty much involved with cross stitching at the minute.

My friend and I found these monthly calendar patterns when we did a cross stitch "shop hop" in the fall.  We've decided that we are going to make them into monthly removable calendars that will fit into a frame.  Then we just switch out for each month.  I have just recently started February ... maybe I can get it actually done for that month!

They really are adorable patterns.  On your "right" is how I store and keep track of all my floss.  Then when I start a new pattern, I pull the colors and put them in a smaller box to work out of.  If in the meantime I find another pattern and I want to buy the floss for that, I check out my colors first to see if I have them.  This is my secretarial mind at work.  lol

Oh, almost forgot ... I made an apron for my oldest daughter for Christmas.  She loves practically anything that is "chicken" related.  We found the cutest chicken fabric a couple of years ago ... I had been waiting for her to make up her mind on what style apron she wanted.  I knew it had to be something in the "30" category; so I just went for it and made her one for Christmas.  It came out super cute and she loves it.  I'll get a picture of her in it eventually:-)

  

Found an amazing Vintage quilt book.  It is called:  "Farm Girl Vintage" by Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet.  Super, super cute blocks.  To make alone, or as table runners, or pot holders, or quilts ... so much to choose from.  Of course these are my two top picks below:

Early evening and I have to get involved with something .... sewing machine is looking at me ... but also my cross stitching is looking awfully inviting..........

Thanks for stopping buy ... what have you recently finished or currently working on?  Leave me a comment ... 

Sharon

HELLO

What happened to summer?  It's fall and I am at the same place I always am.  Things to make for Christmas ... which I actually thought about in July, but; you know .... time and days just get away from you.

I have been busy in my craft room. I finished two quilts from our Guild that were machine pieced by members, all I had to do was sandwich them with batting & backing ...I hand quilted and added the binding.  I actually got both of them done in a couple of weeks by working on them in the evenings while watching TV.  Both quilts will be donated to shelters.

This was an easy peasy quilt to hand quilt.  I quilted it with red thread ..... wanted to add a little punch for the binding ... so I found this great fabric ....  

I think this was my favorite .. I hand quilted different sizes of "bubbles" for the underwater theme.  It's kind of hard to see .... but it was really fun to do. Same fabric for the binding .. just makes it pop and fun.

I was busy working on the Cottage Romance quilt from McCall's Quilting series this year.  It is a 6 part series published for 2015.  I didn't make the whole quilt, I just made some changes so I could have a nice size wall hanging.

This will be an "after" the holidays project.  But it is the part I enjoy the most ... hand quilting it.

Oh, I just remembered ... I was requested to sew "part" of a Halloween costume.  Here, I thought I was done with all that.  You know, the last minute sewing .....  My 11 year old granddaughter, Gennevieve, who lives in Missouri needed a pinafore for her outfit.  So .. Gramma, that's me, picked up a really easy apron pattern to transform into a "pinafore" for her "creepy" doll costume.

Boy, it has been some time since I sewed a "pattern".  I had her mom measure her ... measure the dress from waist to hem ...  That seemed like a good plan.  Her measurements were almost to the Small size ... so I cut everything out for that size.  Boy ... that really looked big.  Not to mention .. I really didn't read the instructions ... I am a sewer, so who needs directions? ... I had pictures.  lol  Yeah, had the apron almost done ... pockets and all ... it was way to big.  DUH

I am anything but not resourceful ...hahaha ... that even makes me laugh.  Used that sewn part and re-cut everything for an x-tra large child's size.  I know how to sew, what is making this so difficult? Could it be that I need to read the construction directions?  It turns out that everything works so much better when you read directions.

All in all ... it turned out really cute ...  My husband, oldest daughter & her son, and I surprised the Missouri grandchildren with our arrival at their place for Halloween.  My oldest daughter did all the kids makeup and hair .... totally worth the 10 hour drive.

Oldest daughter (Sarah) the makeup artist.  She really is good.

Sarah and her son,Mario, in the red & blue.......  lol  The green thing is my youngest daughter, Monica!  She is part of that game .... Mario & Luigi .... but I can't remember it's name.  hahah

two cuties ... Genne w/her friend Lilly

The pinafore .... perfect fit!!!!

Andrew as Mr. Luigi..... lol

Izabela as Princess Peach

My brain is tired from all this ... so ... until we meet again.  Hoping sooner than later.

Sharon

M.I.A. AGAIN!

Yup, that's been me .... Missing In Action for the last couple of months, again.  I have been pleasantly busy off and on actually creating things. lol

I finished my flag quilt.  It turned out super cute.  I thought I would enter it in our county fair, but unfortunately things happen.  Like I got "glue" somehow on the back and front ... just enough so it wasn't predestine enough for the fair.  But, actually seeing things that placed at the fair .... I should have entered it.  I am making another one for my daughter, or daughters, and one of those will be hopefully perfect for next year's fair. lol

Moving on ..... We had a couple of sew-in-days in our Guild to work on Quilts of Valor.  Lots and lots of fabric is donated for these quilts.  There were 3 of us that had the same fabric, but all 3 totally different patterns.  The other 2 were just awesome, but of course no pictures to show.  So, I had to come up with something just as striking.

 It really is hard to see the fabric prints with the sun on it.  But ... truly it is a nice pattern.

My friend, Charlene, and I took a purse class.  It was a Professional Mini Tote Bag ..... It was a challenge at times, and often heard myself saying, I hate this bag, I truly hate this bag!!  But many hours of homework after two, three hour classes each ..... we finally finished them.  Here is my first purse - bag project.  Don't know if  I will ever tackle making this again!   We'll see.  But, I maybe will do a simple tote bag:-)

This was after 3 hours of sewing ..................................

TA DA!!!!

Inside has many pockets.  Oh Gee ... even a pocket 

for the I-Pad I am sure I am going to get one of these days:-)

Probably when H _ _ _ freezes over?

In between all that, I have been working on the Cottage Romance quilt.  I completed the inside with the pin-wheel stars and the log cabins.  I have to figure out the placement of these logs .... I just hung them on my wall.  I have 2 more large pin-wheel blocks that will be on the corners to complete.

It seems I just can't help but take blurry pictures!

Our quilt guild will be having their 2016 Quilt Show next fall.  So I have a few ideas running around in this head of mine to make.  Someone in guild suggested we have a section of only red & white quilts.  I am seriously thinking I will do one of these.  I have always loved the school house blocks, so, I am thinking that will be a must do.

I've just been summoned for dinner .... so have to end this here.  Please stop by again ... say hello.

Sharon

Quick Update

I have been busy sewing and haven't found that x-tra time to blog.  I have started a few projects, only one needs to be really completed soon.

Our guild wants as many of us to contribute something in our annual Fair..... so I thought why not ... I get more accomplished in life when I am under "the gun".  What to make?  Started pa-roozing the internet and Pinterest to get some ideas.  Since it was early June and everything was about making something patriotic .... that's where I started.

I finally decided on a flag ... a primitive Colonial Flag ....  First I wanted to do it as a tumbler block .. lots of quilts in our Small Quilt Talk Group on line were making them.  But I wanted something larger.  Playing with tumbler pattern blocks ... I couldn't get the right size I wanted.  So this is what I came up with:

  

I am really pleased how it turned out.  This is just the "flimsy", still have to "sandwich" it together.  I need it completed by end of July to have it ready for the fair.  It should be a pretty easy hand quilting project.

Also been working on this quilt that is being displayed in McCall's Quilting Magazine for 2015.  It is called Cottage Romance and has 6 parts.  

Part 1 of 6 is Pinwheel Galaxy Block ... which is the larger square below, and is the center of the quilt.

Part 2 is Jacob's Ladder Block .... I haven't decided if I am going to make this one.  The full quilt would measure 95.5 x 98.5 inches.  I just want a wall quilt .... so I need to figure that out.

Part 3 is Log Cabin Block .... Always one of my favorites ...  right now I am planning on placing them on the sides around the middle.

Part 4 is Pinwheel Star Block ...As show above ... I am going to place them above/beside the log cabins.  They will set on the 4 corners. This I am hoping to enter in our Guild's 2016 Quilt Show in the fall.  So, I have plenty of time to thing/sew on this.

Oh yes, can't forget my sewing on Loyal Union Sampler Blocks ... I think I finished 6 of them since my last blog.  They are kind of a fill ... maybe something I can finish in 1 or 2 days.  Also ... may show this in our guild quilt show also.  

I have a couple other things playing around in my mind to sew ... but right now that is where they are going to stay.  lol

Visit my other blog. to catch up on my Sampler Blocks.  Loyal Union Sampler ... my hyperlink won't display it, but you can find it in my blog list.

See you soon, I hope.  lol

EASY-PEASY TABLE TOPPER!

Rainy weekend makes for a day in the sewing room.  I pulled out some patriotic fabrics that I have had boxed away for many years, probably close to 10 years or so.  WOW, where does the time go?

I wanted something round, I don't have anything round for a table topper.  Pa-roused the internet and was looking at a lot of Dresden patterns.  I finally found a free pattern that had rounded edges instead of the "feather" type edges.

I divided the pattern for the  (I will refer to them as fans) fans into 3 different sizes.  These are the 3 fabrics for the table topper........

Sewing the pieces to each other to form a "fan".......

Laying out the pieces sewn to determine how many I need ...

Making everything nice and even, want everything to come out as perfect as possible ......

The best laid plans sometimes just needs to be tweaked .... I just laid a full "fan" underneath and marked it and added 1/4 inch to each side for seams ...................

This is the size of the "fan" that needs to fit to make it a circle ............

Did it, everything matches, which is a miracle in itself for me ......... A little circle to go in the middle!

Determining how much batting I need ...................

Batting on the bottom, the backing on top of the batting right side up with the fabric of the topper ..

Everything trimmed and ready to sew ...................

Almost there ........... need to turn it right sides out and attach the circle to the middle ..........

Finally .......... done!  From start to finish completed in a weekend.  Hand quilted ... always like the way hand quilted things turn out after washing and drying.

Back view ........ Now I have 2 different table toppers ........."THAT WAS EASY"

I have to make a list of holidays I can make some more for ...... you know you can get 2 for 1 when you do it this way.  lol

I finally posted an update to my other blog.  Stop on by and see what it is.
http://theloyalunionsampler.blogspot.com


Again, thanks for stopping ..........

Getting Caught Up!

It's taken me forever to get back to my blog and do some posting.  This winter sure did take a toll on my energy, brain energy that is.  Then when I did finally start accomplishing some things, I couldn't post any pictures or write about what I was doing.  Most of everything was to be a surprise for my granddaughter.  Two months of projects!!


Well, the Gnomes had to move their house to another garden.  It seems a band of Trolls moved in next to them, and they were a loud bunch.  So they traveled down into the valley hoping that they will have a nice long stay in this place.  lol

These dolls kept Gramma busy sewing for them for about 3/4 weeks.  

I was surprised how much fun these clothes were to make.  Ah, a few of them had me scratching my
head for a minute or two.  lol

The pink shrug was a head scratchier.  The blue wrap dress is one of my favorites.  I kind of customized it a little bit from the pattern.

Of course the stripe "mod outfit" made me think back to the 70's.  haha

 
The orange dress is a Peasant dress .... super easy after I re-read the instructions a few times.  lol
I was really surprised how these pj's went together.  I have to do another pair ... I think these are Izabela's most favorite outfit.

A craftier I am not.  But, I put together a makeshift closet and hangers for the dolls until Grampa has the time to make a better one.  This was just from a box covered in fabric.  But my granddaughter really loved it.

All the clothes patterns can be found in the pattern booklet by Annie's Sewing:  Love to Dress Up" for 18" dolls.  These were just a couple of the patterns in the booklet,  My Granddaughter may have to wait until her birthday in September to get the rest of them.

I also made two small quilts for the bunk bed Grampa is going to make!

I don't believe it, but I never got a complete "done picture" of the quilt I made for  my granddaughter as a gift for her First Communion.  I must have thought that I would get a picture of it after she opened it.  You know the saying, "Best Laid  Plans and all"

This shows a couple of blocks and  the turquoise flannel fabric for the back.  This quilt was the size for a double bed, and it was very warm and very heavy in my hoop to quilt.  But I was on a mission and got it hand quilted in  2 weeks.

I did get a picture of the completed top laying on my bed.

Look what I found on my camera,  a picture of my Granddaughter, Izabela, after she opened it.  

At this time I don't know where my next sewing project is going to take me.  I know I am way behind in my monthly Loyal Union blocks .... need to play catch up there.  Also, I have enough fabric to start the Cottage Romance Quilt published in the 2015 McCall's Quilting magazine. 

Well, it gives me something to think about as I lay down to sleep at night.  If I can't fall asleep right away, I usually have some quilting project playing in my brain.  lol  Before I know it ... I fall asleep.  Bad thing ... I never remember the great quilt I created in my head.  DUH!!

Thanks for stopping by, hope you will visit again.

.   

I'M STILL HERE .....

I'm still here .... sewing a lot during the last few months.  The only thing is, that I can't share
anything I have been making.  Most of the things I have been sewing are for two of my granddaughters, and I don't want to spoil the surprise for them or my daughter:-)  My 8 year old granddaughter is having her First Communion the weekend of Mother's Day weekend, and I made a special "something" for her.   This will be a road trip to Missouri.  After returning home and recuperating I will get my act together and post my accomplishments.  lol  

My poor Loyal Union Quilt Blog has been suffering also.  I have made a couple more blocks to share, but I have been to "b-u-s-y" to put them on the blog.  Not to mention, the winter has seemed extra long here on the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio, and motivation has been non-existent!    I am hoping actual spring weather will be coming and staying!!!!!!! and my mo-jo will return.  lol

Update you all later.  lol