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

Can I show you Adorable?

At least these fit my criteria of Adorable!

Bitty Blocks made for my pal Kimmie who got hitched last month...love up above...

...and down below!;)  That tractor is about 3/4" wide!!

Made this once before...the first lives in the UK...this one is for me.

Pattern  from my pal Amy at During Quiet Time here. Go check it out...there is a whole garden series....amazing stuff!

How about this shower curtain I found for $5.00 at Target....100% cotton! 

One day it will be the back of a quilt!

Rainbow stars made at Sew South....free pattern from Ellison Lane here.  Tiny card trick blocks were a gift from a swap peep and tufted tweets from Quilt Dad!

Those are all adorable but what I really wanted you to see are my folks.

Daddy enjoying my sister's ipad playing solitaire while we wait for...

....sweet mama who just had hip replacement surgery.

ADORABLE!!

~d

The FIRST Sew South Retreat was....

... in Charlotte, North Carolina . This amazing adventure called  Sew South was all about ....

 ...meeting new friends....

...shopping at We're Sew Creative....

.... IKEA smiles...

...sewing....

 ...gluing...

 ....more sewing...

....nourishment to sew some more!

Happy finishes...

...and proud, inspiring new friends!!

After a drive home through Virginia....

...and one week later....I still haven't opened my duffle ...I still can't look at all the glorious stash we received...then it really will be over...I don't want that feeling to be over!!

Thanks so much Jennifer....thanks so much!!

~d

ps...I really can't express how awesome this weekend actually was so go here to the Sew South flickr group and read what others so eloquently wrote!

A Tisket, A Tasket.....Oh...That's for a Basket....

....This is a Watering Can!:) An adorable Watering Can pattern by my pal Amy at During Quiet Time! This is one talented chica...I have learned a lot and been so inspired by her work.

Can you believe she was nice enough to let me test it out....guess she knew if I...self proclaimed newbie at the paper piecing stuff....could do it then anyone could do it!:)

Yep...there are some little pieces but I only had to use my seam ripper a couple of times...same seam ripper that Amy's hubby made so at least it's a lovely thing to use!:) You should zip on over to Amy's blog and see a way better version of this cute pattern...she made a pillow too!:) You have to see how she sewed the handle on the pillow....amazing!

If you'd like to buy this awesome pattern head on over to Amy's Etsy shop ...tell her I sent you!:)

On the Hoop Up! front, I finally started on Jo's embroidery piece....I have a lot more done on it but this is a little sneak peek. Yep...it's a Zentangle pattern!:) I need to get this finished and heading to it's new home in Scotland!

I know it's March but here's what we sent the girl for Valentine's day...a pillowcase made out of the panel from the "What a World" collection. I edited this picture so you could see the front and the back...or the right and the left however you want to say it!:) I made a pillowcase because I figured the girl had enough quilts or things to put on her wall....but she wished she could hang it.

Can't win!:)

~d

Drug Rugs Anyone?:)

Wow...been a long time. I really have been busy...just that it's been all gifts that I couldn't share with you without revealing the gift before it was given! Now I can show a few things...because we did Dad's day at my in-laws last weekend AND because my dad opened his present even though I had printed right on the package to wait until Sunday!!

What do you give your dad for Dad's Day when he really doesn't need anything....how about a Drug Rug?:) Heheheh!:) I'm trying to get my parents to be a bit more green....no more tissues....no more napkins....no more paper towels....sitting under their morning coffee/juice and medications!:)

(Made a bookmark out of a trimming)

Think these will help? Made these Drug (mug) rugs out of some scraps of Byzantium and some Stonehenge for the binding. I put my little label on the narrow side so they can hang them when not in use. I hope to see these in use when next we visit!
For Dad-in-law, who also doesn't need anything, I made this little catch-all bag out of some Mr. Fix-it. I put a loop on it so he could hang it from a button on the dash of his truck and put whatever he wants in it. Actually...it is big enough to hold a water bottle.

This is a little six inch mini I made for a friend.

I LOVE SCRAPS.....

.....and this is a secret project I finally started and my first paper piecing...I'm HOOKED!!;)

There are still a few things I can't show you....yet!

~d