Monday, August 31, 2015

August #7 Mini Mania Challenge

Ah Leslie....you about did me in with this challenge!
Of course I had to do something different. After the frustration paper piecing the sewing machine I didn't have the heart to piece the draping fabric....
....so I used some draping fabric!;)
 Used some clear vinyl to make the jar with off centered lid and stuffed it with tiny buttons.  There is yarn on the wonky spool and for some reason a huge indentation on the sewing machine body...I must have had some of Lynda's wine!:)
There was all this empty space under the fabric so.....
 ...I appliqued a little surprise!
Still trying to perfect my needle turned skills....don't know if the kitty has a funny tooth or he is licking his chops in anticipation!;) Thank you Charise for letting us use your design!
This was a fun challenge true to the word.  Next month it's my turn....watch out gang!;)

Participated in this month's Mini QT Swap....Circles and Curves.
Used the tracing wheel...this is the Dritz product we can get in the US. 
I do like the wooden handled one better.  
The photo was my inspiration.
 The mini on the right went to Nan, my swap partner.  The mini on the left is hanging in the shop.  I used Nan's product Chenille-It for the grass. That stuff is so much fun!
Lastly Halloween bunting flags for a side swap at Mini QT.   Little sparkling net pockets.  
Serious skulls on one side....
....a little wacky on the other side!
One stayed home and the others are on their way around the world.
Fly little skull flags....fly!

~d

Monday, August 24, 2015

Wood and Flowers

Sixth finish of the 3rd quarter is a small runner/wallhanging that came from a previous finish.
 The runner here was going to be too long if using all the parts so I saved out a bit. Hand quilted it trying to make a wood grain since the inspiration for this pattern was a set of stairs. Would have worked better if done on the sewing machine but still pretty cool. My bro-in-law liked it!:)
 Finally finished all the flowers but when putting them on the floor I didn't like how they looked AND it would barely be a lapsized quilt! Want it to be bigger. Not making more of those puppies so...
 ...fifty-four 10" squares were cut out of the leftover prints and Grunge solids. This will be so much easier than sewing all the flowers together...and versatile.  Fifty-two more to go!!
Fall is definitely in the air.  Blackberries are done. Tomato and pepper plants are waning.  
Time to clean out and plant Fall greens!

How is your garden doing?
~d

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Different way to applique...at least for me!

My boss went to Amsterdam meeting up with one of our loyal online customers.  This lady does amazing hand work...in fact she will have a quilt in Quilt Mania soon and I don't think it's the first time!  She showed Carly how she prepares her bits for hand stitching....a tracing wheel and a piece of leather! 
 (I used a piece of pleather...worked fine.)
Carly knows I love to do handwork and not only showed me this new way but bought me a lovely wooden handled tracing wheel. All you do is trace your pattern piece on the wrong side of the fabric and the edges curl up....turning under so easily!
 Makes appliqueing a few leaves for a baby quilt a snap!:) 
 Used some of the Chenille-It to add the wee ones initials and embroidered the year to the left.
 Now our girl needs to send it to her friends in Canada!:)
Set the last quilt top hanging in the closet free...now it is basted awaiting hand quilting.  
It's just too hot right now!
But the temperature is perfect for peppers!

~d

5th finish of the 3rd quarter.  The List.

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Using a border print

 Love border prints. Usually the first thing that comes to mind is *make the girl a skirt*~that's my mind talking...it never shuts up!
(Little square of fabric on the left is the center cut off from the middle of the border print)
When I first saw this border print I thought of my mom-in-law cause these are her colors!
Wanting to keep this finish simple just one other fabric was added.
Flying geese away!
 A little machine quilting....a little hand quilting inside the geese...
 ...a 57th wedding anniversary runner is done!  
Happy Anniversary to the best in-laws around!! xoxo
Cute octuplet of pots....guess I could have rinsed off the red pots!!

~d

Thursday, August 6, 2015

OBX finish

Eleven glorious days on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Pea Island Beach
Oregon Inlet Beach
 Kill Devil Hills Beach
Then back to Pea Island...best shell findings!

Loads of lighthouses...
 Went on a ghost tour...see the orbs?:)
Did a lot of sunset gazing...
...and wondering....
....and gasping....
....and moon rising.
Taught my neice to do English Paper Piecing!!
Ate loads of good food...especially ice cream! Our goobers!:)
There was a third finish for this quarter.
Only had time and desire for one finish even though three other projects were in my sewing bag!
Just had to do the binding...see the ocean just a block away? 
Quilt's new home on the OBX...seaglass backing included!
Wish we could stay with it!
OBX... we miss you so!!

~d