A Quilty Christmas

Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house.... everyone was pooped and a bit befuddled....(where's my coffee...)











Did a Facetime with the nephew and his family last night and everyone was happy and impressed with all the hard work put into their Christmas quilts. (If you've been following this blog... you've read about these quilts 'ad nauseam.'  Just look back a few posts.)

It warmed the cockles of my heart.  The year I spent making these quilts...and praying for the recipients... it made me so happy that they liked them.  And, really, isn't that why we do this?  Because the receivers of our labors of love, while they don't REALLY know the time, energy and money that went into the quilt, they DO recognize that it was a labor of love.

I so Love you guys.....

My Auntie....the one who got me hooked on quilting, has been struggling this year with health issues...  but, she also got into the "quilt-giving" game....she made this quilt for my daughter, Ana.

Isn't it pretty?!  Ana cried when she opened it.

Auntie, thank you for teaching me the art of quilting and the art of giving our most precious gift, our love, to those we cherish.  You'll never know what you did for me when you taught me to quilt.

Now to start planning the quilts for Christmas 2016.... I have a really big family.... who will it be???
Ya'll better start being nicer to me.... ha ha!

Christmas Quilts FINISHED!!!

This was the last one...it went out in today's mail.

As I've mentioned, I have a nephew name Wilbur.  He likes pigs.  This lap quilt is for him...

I've been collecting piggy fabric for a while...some from eBay, some from Etsy.  I had no idea what to actually do with it...

I started with an Atkinson Design pattern
"All About Me."

The nice people at Piecemakers Country Store helped me pick out the coordinating fabrics.
























I got a bit creative with the back.  It's "pigs in a blanket" by Timeless Treasures.






















 It actually turned out better then I expected.

Merry Christmas, nephew.

Quilter's Littler Helpers

The "pig" quilt is off the design floor and I am in the process of tying it.
It needs to be finished and in the mail by tomorrow.

Someone posted this in Facebook this morning:

I hope they come to my house next!

What's on Your Design Wall?

We are in the Club House Turn!
How many of us are frantically sewing up a storm, finishing up Christmas gifts?

Me, for one...with my travel schedule, it was a very ambitious undertaking, but I do have two of the four Christmas quilts all finished and even boxed and ready to ship.

Here is what is in the boxes.

A dragon quilt of my own design for the number one son of my nephew.

Missouri Star's skateboard quilt for the younger brother of the above-mentioned grand nephew.


I have one quilt at the quilter's  and one on my "design floor."
My goal is to get them both in the mail and delivered by Christmas Day.

Harry Potter's Bookshelf is at the quilter's.
It is called the "Project of Doom"

If you like paper piecing, do a Facebook search...for "Project of Doom."  It was challenging, but so fun.

Wish I could be at my sister's house on Christmas morning to see his face when he opens it. (My sister will have all her kids home for Christmas this year.)

This one is for another nephew (the brother of the above-mentioned nephew.)  My nephew's name is "Wilbur."  Get it?  And, even though he is a grown man, he likes pigs. (He is also one of my favorite people.)

Not as ambitious, but I think he will like it...

IF I get it finished... it is still on my "design floor."

So, keep at it.  We still have some time to make Christmas Morning magical! 

Another Month Bites the Dust

We are coming up on the end of the year.... I've been traveling for work and not sewing a bit.
BUT, this next couple of weeks I should be finishing my Christmas Quilts...

In the mean time... have a Great Thanksgiving Day.

My First Trunk Show!!

October was a BUSY month.  I wish I could say my busy-ness was sewing or quilting related... alas... it was not ... it was work.  BUT just before I went on an extended business trip (where I was NOT able to take Miss Ellie (my 1951 Singer Featherweight) because I was on too many air planes and in too many different hotel rooms.) (But, I did get the binding on another Christmas quilt finished.  Stay tuned...when it gets closer to Christmas I will post pictures of the 2015 Christmas Quilts.)

...Just before I left on my business trip; I was invited by a local school to do a "trunk show" for their art department.  My FIRST trunk show!  I was so nervous and excited.  But, it was soooo (sew) fun!

Explaining how a quilt is constructed.

My VERY First Quilt.  Showing the kids the different blocks.

Answering Questions

Simple Quilt.  Dragons were a big hit.

Best of Show.  Everyone loved Harry Potter's Bookshelf

I had the privilege of speaking to three classes.  The 2nd and 3rd graders were the most enthusiastic (the high schoolers were bored to tears.)  But, who knows how many quilters were born that day! 

It was so much fun, I can't wait to do it again.

Feels So Good

Last May I started a quilt for one of my Nephew's sons....
See my Post from May 9...

This week I finished the last stitches on the binding....

What made finishing this quilt fun was I started this quilt on a business trip to Vancouver, B.C.  (The first time I'd taken Miss Ellie on a trip...)

1951 Singer Featherweight, Miss Ellie

And, I finished this quilt on a business trip to Vancouver, B.C. ... in the same hotel... :-)

Skateboard quilt by Missouri Star Quilt company tutorial or pattern
And, let me just say I LOVE her Idea book subscription!!!

 

This is the same quilt that I completely took apart and re-assembled because I didn't like the way it looked.  See Blog for June 1. 

I am so happy with the results... thus, encouraging you all again... keep at it.  If you don't like the way it looks... change it.  You'll be so happy you did.

A Shout Out to Creative Women (ah...people)

I think we all have a creative side (even the guys.... I'm thinking of my dad, here.  Truly, he can make ANYTHING from practically NOTHING!  He made this train from a coke can!  That is the truth! )

Yesterday one of my dearest friends posted this on Facebook :

Isn't this beautiful? I can't crochet.  I tried once.  I tried crocheting a pair of slippers for my new grandson....he is now 9... the slippers are still in the UFO pile.

That got me to thinking about all the creative women I know:

We are ALL creative... in some way.  I was thinking even hair people are creative.... they make us look so BEAUTIFUL!
I could never do that... could you?

What is your creative outlet.  Leave a comment.....

An Uncluttered Space Equals an Uncluttered Mind...?

Well....I think so.  When I was in college faced with looming deadlines in all classes at the same time, I'd start by cleaning my apartment (it was very small...didn't take long.)  The process always helped me get back on track.

Cleaning up my sewing room will give me new perspective.
So, here is my tidied-up sewing room.

Getting everything up off the floor, clearing off the counter tops, DUSTING and even recycling some things.... It feels so much better.  (That is a stack of UFOs under the sewing table...all of which will be gone as of Christmas...Yes...Christmas...THIS year (hopefully...ha ha))

Believe it or not I found a way to donate orphaned quilt blocks (blocks left over from other projects, or created just to try out a new technique) and other sewing/quilting stuff that seemed so necessary at the time.

Here is the link for hooking up with charities to donate goods and services.

Here is where I'm sending mine:

Fall Cleaning

September is wizzing by....I have not posted in a couple weeks.... life got busy with the fall:
*School started (important to my 9-year-old grandson)
*Went on a business trip
*Caught a Cold

And now here it is mid-September.  So, today I'm cleaning up my sewing room.  (It is very dusty in Southern Calif.)

Does this happen to you?  You end up with piles of "stuff" everywhere in your sewing room?  Me, too.

I googled "messy sewing room"  Here is one... want to feel better about your messy sewing room?

Ha Ha.... I feel better already.  Pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18) and truth be told, mine is running a close second.

All this STUFF!  So, today I will clean up.  Years ago I read something about de-cluttering on FlyLady.net  Something about getting rid of at least 5 items .... Ok, I can do that!



 I'll check in with you later....






...probably tomorrow.... :-)

A New Beginning

It's September!
It's the start of a new school year!
It's Fall!

Anyone else feel like it is time to start fresh in their sewing room????

ME!!!

I've been on vacation, playing a lot in the summer sun with my grandsons.

And even though I live in a state where there isn't much difference weather-wise from Summer to Fall, it is still time to "begin again."

So, Let's go!!

Stories of Understanding Husbands

I'm not married so I sew when I want to sew, in any room of the house, leave my mess everywhere and no one is "miffed."  Every now and again a story about helpful, understanding husbands-of-sewers-and-quilters pops up on Facebook and it makes me smile....(makes me wish I had one, too...)

My first pretend "Sweet Hubby Award" is from the Project of Doom Facebook group.  This is a quilt pattern of Harry Potter's bookshelf...all PAPER PIECED.  Removing the paper after the blocks are sewn together is kind of a beast of a job.  Kudos to this helpful hubby!!
(If you are interested in this project, follow this link to Fandom In Stitches. )

This next post from the Singer Featherweight 221 & 222 Facebook group.

I've seen many posts where husbands have loved on their wives by refinishing their tables, fixing their sewing machines, even visiting flea markets and estate sales to make purchases for their brides, etc.  Ahhhhh, too sweet!

Husbands have been known to rearrange their travel plans, rearrange their lives and rearrange their living spaces to accommodate our obsession....

Last wonderful hubby story... This past Memorial Day weekend I flew to Portland (my home town) to visit a friend who was visiting in Portland from France.  While there, another friend, Dawn White, met Anna (my friend from France) & me and my daughter Ana for lunch and then took us to her house for a trunk show!  We four ladies invaded her hubby's space for the entire afternoon...even caught him off guard in his boxers..... He just smiled and said "welcome." Charlie you're the best!

 
PS.  If you have not discovered Dawn's Blog yet, here is a link.  She is quite talented and teaches classes at The Pine Needle in Lake Oswego, Oregon.



So... Here's to you, understanding hubbies everywhere!

Dog Days of Summer

I've been so uninspired of late.... I feel restless and aimless.  It's been hot and work has been boring.  Is this what they call the "dog days of summer?"

 Does this happen to you?  What do you do?

Yeah!! It's Friday!!

It's been a long work week and I am so, so, so happy it is FRIDAY! 

I plan to visit a few fabric stores this weekend.  I've been bitten by the "Row By Row" bug.  I don't actually have time to sew the quilt right now, but I'd like to pick up a few patterns from some quilt stores.

There will be a few weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas when I should have time for a new project. 

I really like this quilt...It has such a nice layout and I like what she did with the license plates.

Sew Happy!

Pin Cushions

I have seen some cute pin cushions.  With my OCD I could easily have a vast collection, so I don't collect them.  However, just this morning I ran across this pin cushion pattern on Facebook. I think I just MUST make one...or two...or three...!  It is by "Lady Joyceley" HERE is the link.  Isn't it just the cutest thing you've ever seen?!  Once again I am amazed by other's talents and creativity.

Here is a step-by-step tutorial for my big Minion pincushion. I’m no pro at explaining so if something is unclear, feel free to ask me about it :)
If the download link isn’t working for you, please send me an ask so I can fix it. Please say what it is about, otherwise I maybe won’t understand because I get asks about a lot of other stuff as well, thank you!

Here is a download link for the PDF tutorial, in case you want to safe it on your computer/print it. This is the tutorial only, download the pattern by clicking on one of the links below.

The pattern for the Mini Minion can be downloaded here.

The pattern for the Big Minion can be downloaded here.

Minions made with this pattern:

• catchingupwithfireflies
• diablovia

Send me a link to a picture of your minion and I’ll put it here for other people to check out! :) (If you want me to of course, I will ask you first before doing so). You can send it to my ask-box (just put brackets around the dots in the link) or you can send it through fan-mail. If you want to send it to my email please message me about it off-anon so I can give you my email privately.

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Okaaay, we’re going to start with the material list. 

What you’re going to need is:

• Felt in 4 different colors : Yellow, blue, light gray and black/dark blue.
  (I used dark blue)
• Wobbly eyes that are 2cm in diameter (use 1cm ones if you make the mini minion). Or if you don’t have those, use some white and black felt.
• 4 tiny black buttons
• Needle and thread (yellow, black or dark blue depending on the color felt you’re using)
• Sewing machine
• Fiberfill. If you can’t find it in a store where you live, just buy the cheapest pillow you can find. They usually have the same stuff in it and it works just as fine.
• Glue

What you need to do:

1. Cut out all pieces in the right colors and as many times as mentioned on the pattern.
   Body A, B = Yellow
   Pants A, B, C, D & Pocket & Leg = Light blue
   Boots & Gloves = Black or dark blue
   Goggles = Light gray
   
   DO NOT FORGET TO LEAVE SEAM ALLOWANCE ON THE PIECES FOR BODY A. I forgot to leave seam allowance on one of the pieces so just putting it out there lol.
   
   Important for Big Minion: Fold the fabric for Pants C so there is enough fabric for the pattern piece to be cut from both layers. When you’re done it should look like a full circle.
2. Sew the parts for the body together with a sewing machine. If you don’t know how, here and here they show how to do it (Also a video here). The only difference is that you’ll have a large opening in the bottom.
3. Sew the bottom (Body B) on Body A with a Blanket stitch. Leave an opening for the fiberfill.
4. Fill the body firmly with fiberfill and sew the opening shut.
5. 
   This part is hard to explain for me so bear with me please lol.
   2. Take Pants B and pin it snugly on the bottom of the body. Don’t worry, it is only temporarily.
   3. Now take Pants A and pin it in the middle of the open space between the ends of Pants B. It should look like in my picture of my minion, as if he already has his pants on.
   4. Now take some pins and pin only the parts of his pants together, don’t pin it to the body. Take the rest of the pins out now, but leave the pins that hold the pants together. Since the pins are holding part A and B together now, you should be able to take of the whole pants in one go without them falling apart.
6. Stitch Pants A and B together with a Running stitch or Back stitch as marked with a dashed line on the pattern. This stitch is going to be both decorative and hold everything together so do this as neatly as possible.
7. Embroider the logo on the pocket and sew it on Pants A with a Running stitch.
   
   
8. Attach Pants C to the rest of the pants like in step 3.
   Put the pants on the body.
9. Sew a Running stitch on both of the Legs and Pants D’s as marked on the pattern with a dashed line.
10. 
    Take one of the leg pieces and sew to short ends to eachother.Do this with the other leg piece as well. You should have 2 loops when you’re finished. After you’ve done this sew them to the bottom the body as shown in the picture above.
11. Sew the boots and soles together with a blanket stitch. I find it easiest to first sew the curved sides of the boot and then to attach the sole (like in step 3).
12. Sew the gloves together with a blanket stitch.
13. Fold the arms in the middle and sew with a blanket stitch.
14. Fill the glove with a little bit of fiberfill and stick the straight side of the arm into the glove. Sew the arm and glove together with a back stitch.
15. Fill the legs and boots with a bit of fiberfill and attach them to each other with a back stitch.
16. Sew the arms to the body.
17. Attach Pants D to the front and back of the pants with buttons (look at my picture for reference).
18. Pin the Goggles on the body where you want the face to be. Glue the eyes inside the holes of the goggles.
19. Cut a long thin strip of felt for the strap of the Goggles. Make sure it is long enough to reach around the head from one side of the goggles to the other. Leave a bit of seam allowance on both ends so you can attach them to the goggles.
20. Pin the strap in place.
21. Glue the Goggles in place and tuck the ends of the strap under the Goggles and sew with a back stitch as marked with a dashed line on the pattern. Attach the strap to his head with a back stitch.
22. Embroider a mouth on his face.

Congratulations! You are now finished! I hope you like your end result and I would love to see pictures!!
This pattern is for personal use only. You do not have permission to use this pattern for commercial use and you may not offer this pattern or a modified version of this pattern in exchange for payment. This pattern is free and shall always be free for everyone to use.