~A Simple Thread~

It's a Quilt!

2012-01-31T08:38:00.003-05:00

I received word yesterday that the quilting was complete on my Bizzy Garden. Of course, I had to rush down to the shop and pick it up. I spent the remainder of the afternoon and evening, creating and attaching the binding. It is actually a quilt!! I am so excited, since it is completely my own creation. Take a peek:

Bizzy Garden (This is the link for the video....click on the words!)

More Christmas

2012-01-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

The Christmas tree is always the very center of everything in our house. With that thought, I have made my popcorn-garland, patchwork tree the center of my Christmas quilt. (This quilt definitely needs a name and nothing is coming to me now.)

And, of course, everyone has their own stocking. I thought this one reminded me of and what an elf's stocking might look like. (It still needs a bit of embroidery at the top.)

Now, I'm now saying we have mice at our house.....but your know how the story goes....Twas the night before Christmas...and all through the house, not a creature was stirring....not even a mouse (or two, or three). :)

So, that's my progress, for now. A few more blocks in the works, but the central row is pretty much complete.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ All Done!! ~

2012-01-24T08:14:00.001-05:00

Phew!! Yeah! My third and final Henrietta Whiskers is done! First, there was the blue version...(which went to Bears Paw Fabrics as a shop model). Then there was my red version. And now....ta da!!! My pink one!

The main reason it has taken me so long to finish it was the outer border. I could not find I fabric that was 'just right.' I like this one...it has a very subtle stripe, which I placed horizontally for the borders.

One change I made was to add an extra Henrietta on the bottom border. She was also given the largest acorn of all!

Second, I made a four-patch block for the corners instead of the square in a square.

A major PINK Happy Dance!!

Angels in High Heels

2012-01-20T08:45:00.000-05:00

Remember the funky Partridge in a Pear Tree? Well, that little bird has three companions...three singing angels...wearing high heels! Too funny. Block A is complete for A Christmas Story by Hatched and Patched Designs.

A new free BOM!

2012-01-15T21:09:00.001-05:00

Harrington and Hannah

I love these bunnies! Once I saw the first block, I had to start (you know how that goes!).
Just finished the last bit of stitching on my January block:

This free BOM is being offered by Michelle May of The Raspberry Rabbits. Each new block will be released on the 15th of the month. I can't wait until February!

** For Ineke: Looks like a green quilt is going to be on the way. I actually did not plan it , but this combination of fabrics seemed to fall into place. :) **

Two Posts in One Day!!?

2012-01-12T16:49:00.000-05:00

I finished the latest block (minus the ribbon embroidery) for my Quilted Village BOM. I also forgot to post a picture of last month's block, a Church. There are three rowhouses for this month. With the completion of the rowhouses, the top row of blocks is done.
Here's the church:

(It still needs one more giant ribbon flower.)

...and here are the rowhouses:

Country Cottages

2012-01-12T07:56:00.000-05:00

My first Country Cottages BOM block! This is a free pattern offered by Shabby Fabrics. The free blocks will be available either through Shabby Fabrics website or on the blog link above.

The original block size is larger than mine. I made my pattern a bit smaller. My blocks will be approximately 8". I wanted to make them a bit smaller this time, since I have so many larger BOM's on the go right now.

I did make a few changes...the snowman's eyes and mouth...the center of the snowflakes (I used snowflake buttons), wool felt for the curved border under the roof, and outlining my windows so they would stand out a bit more against my background fabric.

Christmas Angel

2012-01-11T09:48:00.000-05:00

I have added my little Christmas angel's basket of peppermint sticks. I have also made a change to the fabric on her wings. She will probably have a few buttons strewn about in the background, as well.

(** sorry for the sideways picture...I was trying to get her basket into the frame on the camera...didn't realize until after, it was crooked!)

A Little More

2012-01-08T23:14:00.001-05:00

A sneak peak at my next block for my Christmas quilt....still needs a lot of embellishment.....

I was able to purchase more of the swirly beige background fabric. I want to use this fabric for the background in all my blocks.

Berries and Bluebirds

2012-01-02T09:27:00.000-05:00

I had almost finished Block 3 for Berries and Bluebirds a little before Christmas. It still needs the leaves and berries along the vine at the bottom as well as some little leaves for the flowers in the border. To help inspire me to finish this block, I decided to post a picture of my progress.

(That is a portion of Block 2 you see behind it.)

~ Happy New Year! ~

2011-12-31T16:40:00.002-05:00

Wishing everyone a safe, happy and stitchy New Year!

Another Peek

2011-12-30T08:26:00.001-05:00

There will be a couple more little mice coming for my Christmas quilt. So, keep checking!

Yesterday, I worked on the block that actually got me started on this whole thing. This is the only part that is not my original design. The angel is from Shabby Fabrics Blessings of Spring quilt. I have, however, completely changed her outfit. This block is not finished as yet. This little girl will be holding a basket, as soon as I can make a final decisions as to what exactly is going to be in the basket. I also have an idea for a top border, but it will extend across several blocks...at least, that's the plan. ;)

Anyway, here is my little Christmas angel on her way to delivering a few Christmas goodies!

Thanks for joing me on yet another quilting adventure!

Again?!?!

2011-12-29T08:36:00.000-05:00

I know, I know....I cannot help myself....yet another new project. This one is a little special...it's my own design, once again. A sleepless night proved to be a creative flow for an idea I have been wanting to do for a while. Something with my own Christmas design ideas, but somehow I couldn't seem to get what I liked to appear in my rough drawings. Although this particular little block does not appear "Christmas-y", this chubby little fellow is the start of this new venture.

* * * Merry Christmas!! * * *

2011-12-24T16:35:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to all!

I hope everyone finds a little quiet time for themselves and family during this hectic time of year.:))

Thanks for stopping by this year and visiting with me. :)

I don't know.....

2011-12-22T15:19:00.000-05:00

by that, I mean...a Partridge in a Pear Tree?

Kind of a funky looking partridge, don't you think? Although, I do like this little block. I am especially happy with my 'pear' fabric. :)

This crazy little guy is from A Christmas Story quilt by Hatched and Patched Designs. Lots of cute little things going on in this one, that's for sure!

A BIG CHRISTMAS FINISH

2011-12-19T14:27:00.000-05:00

What?!! I actually met one of my goals for this year? Woohoo!!! I wanted to finish the top for my "The Night Before Christmas" quilt before this Christmas. And...believe it or not...I put the last applique star on it yesterday! Above is almost the entire top. Here is the upper portion:

And, the lower portion:

I forgot!

2011-12-12T14:25:00.001-05:00

I made another penny rug...stars and circles for this one....and forgot to take a picture of it. It has been done for over a week or so.

And.....I drew this little house (only 3" square; 5" with the checked border). There is going to be a house-a-day SAL beginning January....check it out...Little Houses. There is a pattern available. I (in my infinite wisdom, of course) decided to make my own. I thought it turned out pretty cute and ooh! so little!

Once again, wool felt and fabric for the applique.

*** for Ineke: Knowing me....I would probably get about 10-15 of them done and then pffftttt!!! Even so, 10-15 could make a cute little quilt! ;) Just the idea of such a tiny block intrigued me. Had to give it a try!

Jolly Little Elf

2011-12-05T09:11:00.000-05:00

How cute is he? The good thing is that he was very easy to make. Everything needed was included in the Just Another Button Company pincushion kit for this cute little Santa. :) His belt buckle and moustache were a bit straighter, until I started squishing him into the branches of our Christmas tree!

Berries and Bluebirds

2011-12-01T08:44:00.000-05:00

More birdies, once again!
Berries and Bluebirds (Gail Pan Designs)

The top portion of Block 2:

The bottom:

Entire block:

Birds and more Birds

2011-11-26T09:18:00.002-05:00

Funny....I did not realize until I was going to take a few progress pictures....all I have been making the past week are: birds.
My Partridge ornament from Esther Aliu's Twelve Days of Christmas design.

My second large bird from the third block on Hatched and Patched In My Garden.

My bird for the top portion of the second block of Berries and Bluebirds from Gail Pan Designs.
With the basket of funny blooms thrown in there, too, also from In My Garden.

Still another to come...the bottom portion of the third block from B&B also has another bird, which I am working on now.

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving...lots of family, food and fun. Now we are in full swing towards Christmas! Won't be long now!

* * Turkey Day * *

2011-11-23T12:52:00.000-05:00

Wishing all who celebrate a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas Time

2011-11-19T08:59:00.003-05:00

I guess all those early Christmas commercials have had their sublimal effect on me....I have been in a Christmas mood for about a week now. With that in mind, I worked on another of my Christmas Fun (Lynette Anderson Designs) blocks...the snowman. I am enjoying how these little blocks are evolving with the wool felt. Here's my dapper little guy:

Here's two other little wool projects I completed very quickly. These are from a kit which includes all the wool felt, floss and cord to complete four different ornaments - two mittens and two stockings. It is called Christmas Woolens by Rachel Pellman. Here are the first two:

The butterflies and dragonflies...

2011-11-14T09:43:00.003-05:00

the pears and snails....all together! My completed Block 2 for In My Garden (Hatched and Patched Designs) is below:

These blocks are big...approximately 21 inches! I have only done two blocks; when you think about it, the quilt is already 40 inches or so wide. Gonna be a biggie!

Edited to add:

Geez!! How could I forget?? I don't want to be on this guy's "naughty" list, that's for sure!

I had finished the wool felt applique for this guy last week. I made him into a funky pillow with Jingle All the Way fabrics. :))

...Pears and Snails....

2011-11-12T08:34:00.000-05:00

...a funny combination, no? :) These are two small parts of my second block for In My Garden. A few pear trees...just a glimpse of those for now (since I am stilll working on the applique). And the snails! I love snails....no, no, no.....not real snails, a bit too much like slugs for me... :p yuck...Fabric snails, of course. This little 'snail train' has a total of seven of these cute guys. The shell is the size of a quarter, to give you a bit of perspective.

The snail's bodies and the pears are done with wool felt. In the background you can see the beginning of my pear trees.

This has been a fun block to work on; still to come: dragonflies and butterflies!

A little Christmas Fun

2011-11-10T09:05:00.002-05:00

I really liked this free BOM from Lynette Anderson when I signed up for it. I made one little block right away. However, in the midst of all my many and varied projects, it fell by the wayside. I decided I needed a little something different to work on for a day or so. I started another block for this cute project...the Santa. I also decided to go in a completely different direction than the first block...can you guess?? ;) ....wool felt for the applique....not so different for me. However, different from what is recommended in the pattern.

I also worked on two of the heart blocks that will go with the snowman.

I am using Lynette's Scandanavian Christmas fabric for these blocks.

In My Garden and Trees

2011-11-04T09:17:00.000-04:00

I was asked by Judy at Bears Paw Fabrics to make this wool felt hanging for the shop:

I had completed the portions necessary for Block 1 of In My Garden by Hatched and Patched Designs.

Remember the birdie, the fountain and the flower field? Back again, all together! Here are the two smaller squarers with the birds and flowers (? I think that's what they are!).

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Little Bits

2011-10-30T09:58:00.000-04:00

OK, OK...I just can't help myself. Another new one...go ahead....50 lashes with wet strands of floss....;)

Little bits and pieces from the first block of In My Garden, by Hatched and Patched Designs. I am using wool felt (surprise! surprise!) for lots of the little tiny pieces for this block. Check out my tiny trees:

I did not plan this for my bird...but when I placed the French knot for the eye, the pattern on the fabric, gave me this. My own 'angry bird.' (For those not familiar with the term..a very popular video game.)

And a total picture of my birdie.

A close-up of the little flower field

and the fountain...with all the pieces in place, ready to stitch.

There are still a lot of parts for this block...so - back to work!

Bluebirds and Berries....my way

2011-10-28T10:27:00.000-04:00

Not a bluebird in sight! I guess mine will have to be called Blackbirds and Berries, or as I had mentioned to Anne Marieke, Crows and Cherries. :)

Here is the original quilt, Bluebirds and Berries. It is very pretty, but I wanted to make it more 'mine.' :)

Sneak Peek

2011-10-26T09:24:00.000-04:00

Another new one....just a tiny peek for now.....

"TUIT"

2011-10-18T08:31:00.000-04:00

Most of us know what that is...'tuit'...you know a round tuit. The everlasting symbol of procrastination. "I'll do it when I get 'around to it." Right? All quilters, stitchers have those projects, don't they? I cannot be the only one with a 'few' projects that are on my TUIT list. There always seems to be a new project that will get me totally distracted and another one goes onto the TUIT list/pile.
I have been making a small attempt to clean-up my TUIT list. One of the projects was Postcard Cuties for Winter by Bunny Hill Designs. All that was left to do was to finish the applique on two scalloped borders and the four corners. I am proud to say that this one is now crossed off that every-growing list!

Now...what's next? ;)

Curtains

2011-10-17T08:32:00.000-04:00

Definitely! I was on a small 'home improvement' kick...at least through a bit of sewing. I made three new covers for my throw pillows for the sofa, after purchasing a new slipcover and new living room curtains. Then, my attention was drawn to my kitchen curtains (which I have only tolerated for now). It seems I can never find exactly what I want regardless of how much actual shopping or web browsing I do. So I sat down and tried to decide what I like. First, my kitchen window is 72" wide. Of course I have always had the usual valances and short panel curtains that have been available. But I wanted something different for a change...something in colors that I knew I liked and with a pattern I liked. After that overwhelming introduction, here they are. Still short panel curtains with a valance, but with a little something added...a checkerboard and a few stars....a couple of my favorite things.:)

I drew the pattern for one 'scallop' on the valance on freezer paper. It was a matter of making three additional scallops on the paper and ironing it to the fabric. My biggest fear was that the valance would be too short or too long. It turned out to fit exactly into the window frame the way I wanted...with no shirring on the rod so that the scallops would hang flat and straight. The stars? What else? Wool felt!

Oh, and have you ever tried to take pictures of curtains in your window when the sun is shining? Almost impossible! These pictures were actually taken before the sun came up this morning.

Is it Halloween yet?

2011-10-14T16:36:00.000-04:00

First, let me say I am sorry if anyone is having trouble reading my blog. I have checked and rechecked all the settings and everything appears to be fine. I have no clue why the background would show up dark. I currently am using a fall template that has all the code provided.

Now...Halloween, anyone? I know, I know. A little early, you say. But I have three projects completed recently, all Halloween-related. First, one of the newest kits from Shepherds Bush, "Get Scared." (I didn't use the wording that was provided on the chart. A fun little kit that stitches up pretty quickly. You know I had to do this one....a sheep and Halloween? Of course!

Second (and third) are my witch's shoes from the Bewitching Boo-tique Club from Bedecked and Bedazzled. All of the items in this club will be needlepoint, with lots of fancy threads, buttons, brads and trims. They will have an ornament-type finishing...hopefully, soon!

(this one has been done for a while)

and

I finished this one today...which is good, as the third kit should be arriving soon!

**Note: Carol.....c'mon....get stitching on your little shoes! **

The Third Barn

2011-10-11T18:46:00.001-04:00

Finished the third of four of my barns for the Little Red Barns quilt. Another cute block. :)
Although it looks as though one leg of the windmill is crooked, it is the way the fabric puffed up a bit, when I placed it on the table.

*** NOTE: I cannot take credit for selecting the fabrics for these blocks. They are provided in the BOM kits from Shabby Fabrics. The 'windows' portions are preprinted on fabric and provided with the pattern and buttons. ***

My Penny Rug

2011-10-11T08:58:00.000-04:00

I have always looked at and wanted my own penny rug. I know I have looked at the shop models over and over again, trying to decide if I could actually make one, and like it. I think I have managed to do it!

I think my Willie Raye chickens like it, too!

Too Cute!!

2011-10-07T15:36:00.000-04:00

...and it's free, too! Erin Russek released this little freebie on her blog yesterday morning. Needless to say, I fell in love with her cuteness! I had to stop eveything and make her right away. My little Christmas Angel is stitched on Kansas Troubles Warm Memories fabric with all wool felt for the applique.

Isn't she sweet? Check out Erin's blog here. Lots of nice patterns and some great applique tutorials.

How could I forget?

2011-10-05T12:38:00.001-04:00

Maybe because the weather has been so dark and dreary for the past several days. I was waiting for a nice day with some sunshine to be able to hang my finished "bizzy garden" (now it's official name) on the fence and take a few pictures. Beautiful day today with plenty of sunshine, but with quite a bit of wind 'gently' blowing. :) So the quilt looks puffed out, since the wind would blow every time I would get ready to snap the picture!
(Again, that shadow that divides the quilt in half is from my roof overhang. Unless I wait until late in the afternoon, this is what happens.)

Here it is overall, although the top portion is overexposed. At least you can see the overall effect of the borders.

Pillows

2011-10-05T08:10:00.000-04:00

New curtains and a new slipcover for the sofa called for a few new pillows. Very quick and easy to make (especially since I reused the pillow forms I had used on the old pillows). The fabrics are from my Primitive Gatherings fat quarters I used for my garden quilt.

More wool

2011-10-03T08:59:00.000-04:00

In the midst of making my flower block for my little garden, I decided to also make a wool mat for the table. Lots of circles, but very easy to make using my GoBaby! cutter. Here's a picture of it all together and ready to be stitched. It is only glue basted for now...and I notice (of course after the picture) that one of the little stems is crooked. Not to worry, it will be straightened out during the stitching.

(The two black circles at the top are magnets to hold it onto my refrigerator, which has lately become my place of choice for pictures).

My 'bizzy garden' is all together! Woohoo! Big Hapy Dance time! I will try and get a few pictures once the sun comes out around here today. :))

Two more

2011-09-30T09:53:00.001-04:00

I have been stitching away on my last three blocks for my garden quilt. I got ambitious and cut the outer borders and squares I want to use within those borders. Gosh, it won't be long until this one is actually finished. What garden would be complete without a few flowers? Granted, these are not your every day sort of flower.

Of course, with all the bees buzzing about and a cute little hive to live in, what do you get? Honey!

A little more applique for the borders, and everything can go together!

Another one done

2011-09-27T10:17:00.000-04:00

I have all my blocks ready for the entire quilt for my 'bizzy garden.' I do have to finish all the applique for two of them. Once that is done, I can put all the rows together and add a few more little extras I have in mind. This block is a very simple one...two little clay pots with tiny seedlings just startng to peek out with a little bit of patchwork for the border.

. . .running in circles. . .

2011-09-25T10:45:00.000-04:00

OK, I am having waay too much fun with my GoBaby! fabric cutter from Accuquilt. I needed the die with the circles for some flowers in my little garden project. I stopped at Bears Paw Fabrics on Friday and picked one up, along with some more colors of beautiful wool felt. I was almost out of black, so I bought a little (a yard!) of that, too. I worked on getting a few little flowers ready for one of my garden blocks. It was ready in no time at all with the GoBaby! (not affiliated, just really like it so far).

The instructions say that you can cut up to 6 layers of cotton fabric at once. For the wool felt I found that 3 layers is best. For years now, I have been wanting to make a penny rug...you know one of those mats with tons of circles made out of wool felt? Well, with a little bit of cutting, about an hour's worth, here's what I had:

Doesn't look like much at this point, does it? But after playing around with my circles for a few minutes, here's what I have now:

Looks a lot better...but now comes the blanket stitching to make all my circles into a pretty wool mat!
(I did take this picture mainly so I would have something to refer to in the event all my rows get disturbed....not mentioning any names...(Klawd).....)

~ Buzzin' along! ~

2011-09-24T17:20:00.000-04:00

This is one of the blocks I had in mind from the beginning when I first started sketching this one. More little 'critters' on this one. They sure are bzzzzy! ;)

Now that I have thought about it, maybe I should add a little, tiny crown on my other bee. Her size alone would designate her as the 'queen bee.'

(Oh, and the top of the hive is not attached yet. I realized when I was taking the picture, that it needed something...more. The semicircle of felt is placed there for now. At least it is better than a loose thread!)

Gone a little buggy!

2011-09-23T08:20:00.001-04:00

I guess those who know me would probably say...'that's nothing new!'....But this is a different kind. I have been working along on my little primittive 'bizzy garden'...and these little guys were not originally a part of the plan. How could I resist? I particularly love this little guy and am pretty pleased with how he has come along (albeit at a very s l o w pace). ;))

This is the block where he belongs:

And then these little guys thought there must be a picnic going on....

a quick look at the rest of their block.

(Yes...it is definitely a conspiracy..that black thread was not there when I was getting this ready!) :))

Be on the lookout for a few more little 'critters!'

** For "Blu"....being lazy, I did not check to see how many legs an ant had...so just went with the flow...:) ** Thanks for checking them out...and I really do appreciate your great comments. **

A Flower

2011-09-21T08:06:00.000-04:00

I have been continuing to work on my wool felt project. Wool felt is so easy to applique...not as much prep work as in other types of applique. Not that I don't like those as well. These blocks seem to be coming together very quickly. Here's the newest addition...a golden flower, a few more stars and a heart. :)

(and why is it that I never notice those stray threads until after the pictures are taken?)

Sunshine!

2011-09-20T08:52:00.001-04:00

Certainly not here today...pretty gloomy outside, as a matter of fact...one of those dreary, drizzly days....hmmm...little bit of alliteration there.:)

Continuing along with my primitive garden theme...a sun, of course! Now this is not your typical, bright, happy yellow sun. This one is, in fact, quite different. And, if you look at it closely...you can also see the moon!

(yep..that is a magnet in the corner....helping to hold it onto my refrigerator, while I tried to take a picture!)

This sun will preside over the remaining blocks in the upper left corner...with my 'bizzy bee' just below.

Been 'bzzzzy'

2011-09-19T15:06:00.000-04:00

:)) that's right, 'bzzzy.' A new project (again!)..this time using the fabrics from Primitive Gatherings called Little Gatherings...lots of neutrals, blacks and golden tones. I had sketched out an idea I had quite a while ago. At the time, I thought I was going to use bright, spring-like colors. Once I saw the fabrics from Little Gatherings...my mind changed completely. I decided to give it a shot, and made one of the first blocks ....a bee....a little chubby bee, with heart-shaped wings that are separate from the background. I intend to use all felt for all the applique.

Love the fabrics ....so this one is definitely going to have a very 'primitive' feel

overall.

Thanks for stopping by....'bee' back soon!

Another Henrietta

2011-09-14T15:56:00.000-04:00

I finished up the last of the applique and the buttons today on my red version of Henrietta Whiskers. I changed the top border and the bottom one, too. I used the logo from Bunny Hill Designs for Henrietta Whiskers for the additons. A view of the top portion:

and the bottom:

Last, but not least, overall:

Henrietta...and a friend....

2011-09-12T20:01:00.000-04:00

I have been working along on my borders for my red version of Henrietta Whiskers, a free BOM offered by Bunny Hill Designs. I had all my little pieces attached and some of them stitched in place. I thought I would stretch it out across the sofa to get a better look at it overall. I wandered off into the kitchen for a minute or so..and when I came back:

Henrietta had found a new friend!

Needless to say, two hours later...I am still waiting for Klawd to finish "visiting" with Henrietta!

A BIG FINISH!

2011-09-11T13:19:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I was able to complete the entire quilt top for my blue version of Henrietta Whiskers, the free BOM that has been offered by Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs. (The patterns will be available through December.) So, presenting my 'blue' Henrietta Whiskers, the top portion:

the bottom:

and, overall:

The only way I could get any picture of it at all was to clip it to my fence out back....excuse the clothespins (and the shadows from the roof overhang)!

Only two more versions to finish! ;) Working on the red one now.

Block 9

2011-09-06T10:15:00.001-04:00

Ta Da! The last block for Henrietta Whiskers' Block of the Month. But, not all of the quilt is done yet. There are still two borders which have little birds and stars to be appliqued.

Next up will be the blue version of Henrietta's Block 9 for Bears Paw Fabrics. :)

Whew!!

2011-09-02T08:26:00.003-04:00

Well, I tried all day yesterday to post, to no avail. I had prepared a nice long post about Hurricane Irene..gone...so...let's try again. We were definitely affected by the hurricane, but thankfully, not any extensive damage was done. Mainly, was the loss of power for approximately 40 some hours. A lot of branches and leaves were down, but other than that, nothing major. However, you would think I would have done a lot of stitching. Not so...without lights, not a lot of stitching or quilting was accomplished. But...the good thing is that my house is cleaner and more organized than it has been for a while! ;))

Just before Irene, I had finished my last block for 'Bewitched.' I decided to redo my house block, as I was not completely satisfied with my first attempt. I do like this one much better. It does still need a bit of extra embroidery to be completely done, but take a peek:

I do like this one much better. Now to add the final details.

Here's a closer look at the door and windows:

Thanks for dropping by. I hope everyone is well, and safe.

Changes

2011-08-26T08:54:00.000-04:00

I am almost there...to the end of my blocks for the center of my 'Bewitched' quilt top. I had originally thought I was going to have a bowl of Halloween candy for this block. I spent a couple of days making wool felt black and red licorice, Heshey kiss-shaped candies, lollipops and fun little candy corn. But there were too many pieces for the small size of this block. I decided it would be more balanced with a different center. I used the same heart design as is in one of the blocks for Shabby Fabric's Blessings of Spring, only using some of the fabrics from my collection for this project.

Don't fret! You may get to see those candies somewhere in the outer borders. :)

Welcome my new little girl!

2011-08-22T13:20:00.002-04:00

Aha! Gotcha! Not a new baby....well, she is my baby. Introducing Vanna!

Her cute little (ahem...) toes....

Her pretty (another ahem) little face.....well, you know what is said about a face only a mother could love:

...and the rest of my ;) beautiful little vulture:

Here is the entire block for my 'Bewitched' quilt, featuring none other than...Vanna Vulture!

Why Vanna? She takes after Vanna White on The Wheel of Fortune! The hair...(well, feathers)...the blingy necklace and her fancy attire...OK, it's only a headband.

I am so thrilled with how she came to life. Hope you like her, too!

Barn #2

2011-08-20T17:50:00.000-04:00

This is the second block for my Little Red Barns quilt. It came in the mail yesterday and upon opening the package, I went to work. Very unusual for me. It was all put together by late last night, with the pieces for applique the only part left. A giant sunflower to go with the giant stalk of corn from Block #1. ;))

...and two more...

2011-08-18T08:53:00.000-04:00

Two more blocks for my various projects are done. The first is my little witch for my 'Bewitched" Halloween quilt:

The second is Block 7 for the red version of my Henrietta Whiskers.

Thanks to everyone for their continued visits and great comments on my last few posts.

Before and After

2011-08-15T12:07:00.000-04:00

Before:

After:

Minerva Mouse by Just Nan. Little Minerva is only 1 3/4 inches tall!

Back to Your Regularly Scheduled Program

2011-08-10T09:14:00.000-04:00

I forced myself to put my 'Bewitched' project aside for a few days. Yes...the beginning of the month 'guilt' has set in. I completed Block 4 for Blessings of Spring from Shabby Fabrics. It has a very pretty fussy-cut vase with some bright colored tulips.

After starting on the block, I also got the next block for Henrietta Whiskers ready. This is the blue version for Bears Paw Fabrics. I also fussy cut all the little windows and door for this block.

I don't think I posted a picture of Block 7 for this one, so here you go:

I really like the fabric I used for her house.

(My editing was horrible. My little squirrel has a bit of a "glow", it seems. Oops!)

A Place to Call Home

2011-08-07T08:20:00.000-04:00

My young little witch needed place to live. Her little house at 1313 Witchy Way:

Her new little kitty, Boo, is waiting for her in the attic.

* * * Bibbitty, Bobbitty Boo! * * *

2011-08-03T14:29:00.000-04:00

Ask and you shall receive! I have just finished the final sparkly touches on my young little witch's hat. She will be all set to go out in her most "bewitching" duds!

See? Even that little ghost is quite entranced! ;)

Caramel Apples and Crows

2011-08-03T09:41:00.000-04:00

Doesn't sound like a recipe for something very good, does it? LOL! But these are the subject of my latest two blocks for ....drumroll, please...I think I have a name for it, my Halloween quilt, "Bewitched!"

Candy apples are a fun treat for fall...but caramel apples? Even better!!

and, then there are three more little crows...of course, one of them had to be a bit ornery and not follow with the others!

Good news ~ I am almost done my witch's hat...pictures soon. :)

Tombstones

2011-08-01T08:56:00.000-04:00

Ahh...not a subject one might want to be thinking about, right? These tombstones are all in fun. Block 1 for my Halloween quilt (I really need a name....suggestions?) finally done (no pun intended).

And in case you are wondering, the faces for the stones came from the panel fabric in the Haunted Hollow collection....I have used another portion of the panel in the block I am working on now....spooky trees!

Lots of ideas for this quilt...a witch's hat, a candy dish with Halloween candy favorites, and maybe some candy apples, too!

From Halloween to Christmas

2011-07-30T10:05:00.000-04:00

I made a list. A pretty loong list. Of what? My quilting WIP's (notice I did not say ALL my WIP's). It was actually to give myself an idea of what I might be able to finish before the end of the year. After looking at this list, I tried to decide which project(s) I would like to really have done. Of course I want them all done, but let's face it, that's not gonna happen!

After Halloween-themed projects, Christmas comes in pretty close as my next favorite. With that in mind, I decided to work and try and catch up with Night Before Christmas by Bunny Hill Designs. I actually made some decent progress. I put together all the 'pieces' for Block 5. Then I began working on Block 6, a cute little mouse with a present and Santa. It is done!

My cute litle girl mouse. :)

Santa.....

and Block 6, all together!

I started on Block 7, too! Now I am really starting to feel like I am getting somewhere! And....drumroll, please....all six blocks are assembled together now, too. Not too shabby for three days work. No pictures of all six, yet. Stay tuned!

Something to 'crow' about...

2011-07-26T19:30:00.000-04:00

Another block created for my Halloween-themed project. Although these little guys aren't necessarily Halloween-ish, they are 'fall' like.

and, here's a look at what I have completed as of today:

Look!!

2011-07-24T18:55:00.000-04:00

Ouch!! Aren't you glad your toes won't fit in this boot? My witch's boot! I was inspired by the print in my Haunted Hollow II fabric from Jacqueline Paton. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. :^)

Eeek!!

2011-07-23T10:56:00.001-04:00

If you are afraid of spiders....watch out!

EEEKK!! Well, come on now - not really...I mean these cute little guys aren't scary at all. These are part of a design I am "trying out" on my own. It uses bits and pieces from Shabby Fabrics Blessings of Spring, but with a Halloween adaptation. The fabric line is Haunted Hollow by Jacueline Paton with Red Rooster Fabrics. Not your traditional bright oranges and greens, but I like the fact that they are a bit more subtle.

Uh, huh, uh, huh...yep,

2011-07-19T14:20:00.000-04:00

call me crazy....Why? I did it again...yep...signed up for another Block of the Month. How many does that make? Actually, I honestly don't know. But a friend told me once to enjoy the journey, not necessarily the finish. Believe me, I have whole heartedly put that into practice! ;) Anyway, my latest endeavor is the first block for Little Red Barns by The Quilt Company. Here's the full quilt:Little Red Barns. My first block arrived on Saturday, and I started working on it Sunday night. Finished up the applique this morning.

The little stack of animals comes on a preprinted piece of fabric. I love my "giant" cornstalk!

Now, we return to our regularly scheduled stitching....Heart's Desire!

Oooohh!! Gettin' Excited!!

2011-07-16T16:34:00.000-04:00

Now that we have received the final layout for the entire quilt, I worked on the little leaves, the embroidered stems and circles for my central block. I decided to add the flange to the perimiter of this block as well as the other two flanges recommended by Esther. I like how it gives my central block a more finished feel. Of course, there are still two sides missing. I have also stitched together the three blocks in the center row. Now I am really starting to get excited to be able to actually see something that looks a little more complete!

Take a peek!

(sorry about all those stray threads...I told you I was getting excited to see how things were starting to work together. ) :^}

Blessings of Spring

2011-07-15T21:09:00.000-04:00

Block 3 is done!
I am still lovin' the colors for this one. There will be a few embellishments added...a red button to each set of leaves on the hearts as well as a little pink beaded necklace for the bird.

Another Wednesday!

2011-07-13T07:51:00.000-04:00

Shhhh! my little mouse is sleeping!

A bit of a change of pace...this is the bottom portion of Block 5 of Night Before Christmas by Bunny Hill Designs. There are a few very tiny pieces in tis one...that little mouse head is probably about the size of a quarter.

I needed a little break from Heart's Desire, as I have been going pretty strong on that one for a while. The last portion will be released on the 15th! Can't wait to see what's in store for us!

WOW!

2011-07-06T09:16:00.000-04:00

WIP's on Wednesday....or in this case, WOW! I am actually stunned!

I finished (phew!) all four of my Block 4's for Heart's Desire. The last little circle was attached last night. So....since I have the majority of the pieces, I decided to do a quick layout of how I thought everything might go together.

Oh..My...Goodness!! I have impressed myself. Although this is an extremely rough layout (with none of the border actually stitched yet...I am very happy with how things are looking at this point. Don't get me wrong....still lots more to do...but seeing it all together like this actually makes me want to hurry up and get all those little leaves ready for the border. My baskets still need all their flowers and leaves, too.

I do have to say that I have actually inspired myself to keep going on this. (Oh, and I did add the little leaves to my center block (ala Esther's "oops" picture), although not attached permanently yet, since I wanted to see how everything worked together first. I have all the tiny circles ready to go for the center block, too. Here's another look:

It is upside down in this angle (you can tell by the bird on the left)...but this was the best angle I could get, as it was on the floor. Speaking of which, as soon as I was done with the pictures...someone came up the street, which caused Rusty to get all excited and dash across the center..messing up the layout. I guess he wants me to get to work on it right away, too. :)

Once again my thanks go out to Esther for a wonderful design!

How Could I Forget?

2011-07-06T08:55:00.000-04:00

I actually won something! Yep, me...who never (well, I can't say that anymore, can I?) never wins. I was the winner on Erin Russek's 500th blog post give away. She gave away a Vera Bradey tote with a ton of pockets. Here is her post: 500th post give away ...and I won! Yeah! This will be a great bag for putting all my quilting tools in, rather than having them all over the place. :)) Thanks so much to Erin for a great give away.

Leaves, Leaves and More Leaves!

2011-06-30T19:05:00.001-04:00

Phew!! The leaves for the inner portion of all four of my Block 4's are done! Two blocks stitched down - two to go! And...I started on those leaves on the stems that hang into the border and the bordering block (which I think may be Block Two). Two blocks of those done...one stitched and one (this one) glue basted in place.

That large flower you see at the top of the picture is not part of the block. I was laying it out on the background fabric next to Block 4 along with a portion of my scalloped border to see how I liked it.

Here's a better look....remember, glue basted together and laid out on the background fabric with the scalloped border. There will be four of these in the outer border with the scalloped edges.

(*** so sorry about the poor quality of the pictures...my camera batteries were on their last legs! ***(

Coming Together

2011-06-29T08:17:00.000-04:00

Slowly, very slowly, it seems, my Block 4's are coming together. I finally have a second one with some of the leaves...Notice, I said "some." There are still leaves to be attached to the curved stems extending over the borders. Still needs the little bit of embroidery as well as the three tiny circles above each flower. When you first see the block, you think, "How pretty...not too much work." Well, think again! Did you see the little tiny thorns on the stems? (only 20 on each of these blocks!)

The paper pieced borders have found their home, as well as those squares with the circles. I am considering a button for the center of those large circles.

Now ~ to work on the remaining two!

Have I Told You Lately That I Love....

2011-06-24T19:25:00.000-04:00

ahhh...you thought I was gonna say "You!" (you know, like the song....)But what I was going to say was Have I told you lately that I love Kansas Troubles fabrics? I got hooked on them when I started using them for my Patriots in Patchwork blocks. When Esther came out with Heart's Desire...I decided to use them again. I just received an order of fat halves of their Wrapped in Paisley line (from last year) this afternoon.

Most of their fabrics are quite dark in tone, so I ordered some of the "lighter" colors that were available in this line. I have decided to use the one with the little swirl for the background on my outside borders for Heart's Desire. I cut out a few of the scalloped borders in the black floral (another Kansas Troubles fabric) I intend to use. These borders will have those baskets I mentioned previously in the corners. Here's a peek...again not stitched together yet, just laid out to see how I like it.

A Tisket, A Tasket

2011-06-23T21:13:00.001-04:00

I love my little basket! :))

Not stitched down yet, just starched and pressed, ready to go. There will be a vine with some flowers wrapped around the handle. Each basket will occupy a corner of the outer border of my Heart's Desire Block 5. Once again, a lot of pieces and work for this part. I haven't finished all four of the Block 4's yet...but I'm workin' on it! I couldn't resist starting at least a small portion of Block 5. Lots of scalloped borders and little flowers to come for this one.

Thanks for stopping by! I really do appreciate everyone's visit. :^)

Ladybug, Ladybug

2011-06-21T08:19:00.000-04:00

Fly away home!

Three very cute little ladybugs have come to live at my house. This is the second block from Shabby Fabric's Blessings of Spring BOM.I love the colors that have been chosen for this project. And the packages you receive from Shabby Fabrics for this are fabulous. You get a color leaflet with all the fabrics to be used in the quilt...a separate leaflet with pictures showing how to do the spray starch method of applique as well as a separate color leaflet each month for the block. (** not affiliated with Shabby Fabrics...just love their stuff!**)

Friends for Christmas

2011-06-10T09:55:00.000-04:00

OK, OK....this one has been done for a while. But ~ now it has been machine quilted! My first one ever....no, no.....I didn't quilt this one. It is the first time I have actually had someone else do it for me. There is not an extensive amount of quilting....mostly outlining of the shapes, some random stars and a string of Christmas lights in the three penguin block. The dark brown border has holly leaves. All in all, I am pretty happy with it. I am sure that there could be a lot more quilting done on it. For me, for now, it's just right. :)

Block 5 and 6

2011-06-09T13:00:00.000-04:00

Henrietta Whiskers' time again! I am definitely a bit behind, thanks to my work on Heart's Desire. The blue version of Blocks 5 and 6:

Here is Block 5. Cute. :) This is the central block in the entire quilt. Henrietta and her little baby.

I know what everyone will think...black squirrels? Most squirrels are grey or brown, right? Well, actually, here in Harford County, Maryland there is a small area where there are black squirrels. :))

So, I guess these little guys are my tribute to them. They sure do look as if they are having a good time, leaping around, don't they?

And a general idea of the overall quilt. There are only three blocks left to go, as well as the top and bottom borders.

~ Tangent ~

2011-06-02T14:19:00.002-04:00

Yep....I went off on another one today...tangent...that is. :) I was trying to be good and straighten up one of the piles where some papers and quilting books were accumulating. What do I find at the bottom? The 12 Days of Christmas pattern I had printed out after I had ordered it from Esther Aliu.

I had already pulled some nice green fabrics for the diamond log cabin blocks to be used for the background/tree part of the design. And, I had already printed out a couple of the pattern pages for the paper piecing on said diamonds....you know what happened next. ;0)

Yep....that SADD (stitcher's attention deficit disorder) or should I say, QADD (quilter's attention deficit disorder) kicked in, and I was off!

I told myself as I was piecing these that I really should be working on my block for Heart's Desire....it's sitting there, all ready, waiting for me to applique. B U T, I merely want to see if these greens all worked together. Just one more strip, then I'll work on it, I kept telling myself. The results of these 'inner discussions' are below, two diamond log cabin blocks, placed on the red background fabric I intend to use for 12 Days, too. ;))

Pretty Birds

2011-05-31T18:34:00.000-04:00

Not my usual colors...every now and then I am trying to get away from the color palette I normally choose. These bright colors are very different from my "norm," that's for sure! But I did really like the original colors that Erin Russek is using in her latest free Block of the Month design called My Tweets. I was able to locate a few of the same fabrics for this one. Those I couldn't find, I tried to match closely.

This is my Block 1m which I worked on in between all the pieces I have been doing for my Heart's Desire blocks for this month. Those blocks are coming together very slowly, since I am trying to do all four at once.

Puns Galore

2011-05-27T07:49:00.000-04:00

OK, I didn't do it. I was going to post a "punny" title, but didn't. Which does not mean I resisted posting the ones that came to mind..."Hare Ye, Hare Ye"...."Hare's Looking at You"...."Hare We Go"....OK...enough...sorry, but I did say I couldn't resist. A small look at the beginning of my version of Esther Aliu's Golden Rabbit (which she said was really a hare).

I was having a little fun when I was doing the embroidery for the eye....can you see her eyelashes? ;)

I am not sure at this point whether they will stay or not.

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

~ Bits and Pieces ~

2011-05-22T09:02:00.000-04:00

It seems like all I have been doing lately is working on "pieces" for my four Block 4 of Heart's Desire.
Lots are ready, but there are still many more to do...all the leaves and flowers. I am trying to take
Esther's suggestion and have an "assembly line" type production of all my pieces. As of today, all flowers baskets - done. Corner circles - done. Sawtooth (eight of those paper-pieced buggers) - done!

And I have all my other blocks complete with the exception of the eight scalloped borders (which I am working on now.) Now to tackle some flowers, stems, thorns and leaves!

Blessings of Spring

2011-05-21T07:49:00.000-04:00

The first block for this ten month Block of the Month by Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics is shown above. Pretty spring flowers along with one of my favorite patchwork patterns, the pinwheel.

Next month - another of my absolute favorites - ladybugs!!

Where did it go?

2011-05-17T11:39:00.000-04:00

It seems like it was the beginning of May yesterday, doesn't it? Where did the past two weeks go? Well, for me, the time has been spent working on my three blocks that consisted of Part 3 for the Heart's Desire quilt by Esther Aliu. (no pictures, just yet)

On the fifteenth, Esther released the next part.....FOUR blocks for Part 4. Yikes!!
And we cannot assemble any of the parts yet. Esther tells the group that all will be revealed next month....I have my doubts as to whether I am going to be able to complete all four blocks for this part by next month. B u t.....I did make a start. Finally. I was so overwhelmed by the amount of work for each block...I think I got quilter's block....is there such a thing? You know, like a writer gets writer's block and cannot write? Well, when I saw the new block (which is beautiful, by the way), I froze. Literally, my brain could not come up with anything. It (my brain, that is) finally relaxed. I chose some fabrics from my choices for this quilt for the corner flower pots. Here are all the pieces, not assembled yet, but ready.

I have used the black/gold checkered fabric only in the center and here, as it does tend to really draw your eyes to it.

Now! Time to work on some bias stems. :)

Henrietta, again!

2011-05-11T12:59:00.000-04:00

Can you believe another month has gone by since the last block for Henrietta Whiskers by Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs? Each block is just cuter than the last. This one has Henrietta's little baby! It will be the center block within the whole quilt. Now to finish up my other two versions, as well as my blocks for Heart's Desire.

Thanks for stopping by!

2011-05-07T17:17:00.000-04:00

Wishing all the Mom's a wonderful day full of joy and laughter with your loved ones. :)

Lotsa Little Leaves

2011-05-02T11:46:00.000-04:00

All ready to be positioned and appliqued on the first block of My Tweets. And, yep, they are resting on a paper plate (which coincidentally has leaves on it). Erin Russek, the designer of My Tweets, had suggested the paper plates as a way to organize all the different elements to applique for the block. You can then stack them, use the one you need and and rearrange all your little pieces easily.

Erin recently completed a block for a different project where she shows you how to weave a basket with bias strips. Beautiful!

Heart's Desire

2011-04-30T18:48:00.000-04:00

This portion of Heart's Desire has the same block repeated three times. Here's my first one:

And a little bit closer:

PiP's

2011-04-29T14:45:00.000-04:00

Finished another block for Patriots in Petticoats (PIP)...this was one I had set aside. Now here it is:

There are a few little "fussy cut" flower in this block.

Night Before Christmas

2011-04-25T12:57:00.000-04:00

It seems funny to be posting something that has to do with Christmas this time of year, doesn't it? I (finally) redid my Block 2 for Night Before Christmas BOM. I had majorly messed up my first attempt....don't ask. :)

Good news is, it is done, and I am currently caught up with at least one of my BOM's. It is a bit difficult to get a nice flat picture when our fan is blowing the block around!

Block 2 Night Before Christmas

A lot of work! But - I am pretty happy with how it turned out (this time). ;)

Especially (this is for you - Anne Marieke!) the little mouse's hands and ears!

HAPPY EASTER!

2011-04-23T20:47:00.000-04:00

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Easter!

more pretties

2011-04-19T20:01:00.001-04:00

You know how it is....you only need one thing from the quilt store.....but those aisles and aisles of luscious new fabrics each call out to you to be included in that one special project....(OK...maybe I am the only one that "listens" to fabrics calling my name...LOL!) What do you do? What do you do? Well, take some of them home with you, of course!

These little pretties are for yet another future project...In My Garden by Hatched and Patched Designs.

The sheep's in the meadow

2011-04-18T08:51:00.000-04:00

OMG! Look at her fat, round little body! Too much! This little pincushion took a bit longer than the bon-bon one. Her little bunny ears are removable; once Easter is over, she can still be displayed.

I also completed the first block for Lynette Anderson's new freebie BOM, Christmas Fun. You do have to sign up at a participating shop for this one. You pay for the cute, wooden buttons and receive the chart with it.

(It does lay flat, I just didn't realize that it was sitting a bit odd until after the picture.)

Heart's Desire

2011-04-17T10:25:00.000-04:00

Block 2:

Finally...lot more work here, than I originally thought. The bird is supposed to be "similar" (and I stress - similar) to a Baltimore oriole. I am working within a specific range of colors, so the colors of the bird are a bit more subdued .

Now to work on Block 3, which is really three blocks of the same thing. Those blocks will go with Block 2 without a bird, but with some added flowers.

...mmmm....yummy!

2011-04-14T18:50:00.000-04:00

Don't they look good enough to eat? :)) Yummy little bon-bon pincushions made out of wool felt and buttons from Just Another Button Company (JABC).

JABC has a variety of new wool pincushion kits available. Guess what the latest one is? A little Sheep! The kits are a bit pricey. You do get everything to make the pincushion(s). The only thing I needed to make these little treats were a needle, some sewing thread and a bit of glue. You get all the wool pieces, the specialty thread, the JABC buttons and stickpins, as well as wool roving for the stuffing. This one included the little heart-shaped box. It is only about 6 inches across. The little 'candies' are about the size of a chocolate truffle you might buy. Very easy to make...only took me about an hour and a half, from start to finish! Love it, love it....yum!

**oh, and no, I don't have a vested interest in the company...just happen to really love my little treats!**

a little birdie

2011-04-13T10:09:00.000-04:00

This is a bit of my bird for the Heart's Desire free BOM by Esther Aliu. I was trying to make him look like an oriole, but within the confines of the fabrics I had chosen for this project. Why an oriole?..Our state bird is the oriole, as well as the baseball team. He's not as bright as the real thing, but his colors will work well with the other portions of the quilt.

This is a test...only a test....:)) my little tryout for the first border in the same quilt. There are four of the half circles in a set of four borders.

A red Christmas tree?

2011-04-12T07:58:00.000-04:00

Yes! A pretty, red Christmas tree! This is Block 4 for Night Before Christmas by Bunny Hill Designs. It has been the simplest block to complete,so far.

And now red

2011-04-11T07:44:00.001-04:00

Henrietta Whisker, Block 4. Well, the little squirrel is not in this month's block, but Sophie and friend are here. With the exception of Sophie's necklace, the block is done. Once again, another fun one and quick to do.

Pink & Blue

2011-04-07T13:23:00.000-04:00

Block 4 for Bunny Hill's freebie Henrietta Whiskers. I think the pink one may eventually get a button or two on the pumpkins.

I do like the blue one, which seemed to take forever to choose the fabrics and the wools this time. I probably changed things around about four or five times. On the right-hand side, there should be six blocks. I chose to combine two into one longer block to be able to use the portion of the stripe fabric I had selected.

All in all, another fun block from Bunny Hill Designs!

Seeing Red

2011-04-04T13:16:00.000-04:00

....pretty red fabrics, that is! I was looking for a few darker reds and look what I found:

To be used in a future project...:) Isn't there always another one? ;p