Pin It!

Well, it is my day to share my pincushions with you! Another great hop brought to you by Madame Samm, Sew We Quilt and Kristen from Meadowbrook. 

Thank you for all your hard work!

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you may know that I took a position to start the new school year off teaching First Grade. It has been very hectic (I learned about this less than 2 weeks before school started). Fortunately, I had already started on my pincushions so I could keep my obligation to the hop. The unfortunate side is that I had several more ideas that didn't get done.

 They will have to wait. 

I will do my best in cheering everyone on and responding to your comments. Thank you for your understanding, if it takes me awhile.

I do love pincushions and have a good collection of them. I'm always willing to add to my collection so when I saw the Pin It Blog Hop, I signed up. 

In deciding what new ideas to make, I thought I would concentrate on egg cups. I found this pretty egg cup and thought it would make a pretty pincushion. Love the plaid and the flower!

Next up, I thought about the little chicks that hatch from eggs and found this cute egg cup that looks like a cracked egg. So why not put in the chick?

I made the chick from a soft yellow fleece from my stash. Added a felt beak and some little black beads for eyes. 

From the side you can see that my chick has wings and a cute little tail. I used this pattern but adapted it fit in the egg cup.

Another egg cup I found had its own little dish for your spoon. 

It makes for a handy place to keep your supplies while stitching!

In searching my Pinterest boards for inspiration, I came across this pattern for a stuffed animal. It was not intended to be a pincushion but I thought why not? Who doesn't love a penguin? He's too cute! So I reduced the pattern and changed a few things and here is the results. To help him balance, after adding the stuffing, I added a smooth round stone to the bottom. He is made from a gray recycled sweater that I felted and some striped knit fabric from my stash.

And who doesn't love owls? I search the web for some cute owls and found this pattern. However, in order to get the 'free' pattern you needed to find an copy of this old magazine. I couldn't get it of my mind because of how cute this owl is so I made my own. 

He is pretty little...about 2" tall. I used a white and black button for each eye and a tiny bit of white roving for the feathers around the eyes. He is adorable!

Here are a few of my old favorites. This is a wee 1" pinwheel pincushion that I made to attach to the side of my machine. 

I love the pun of this one I made last year.

And these too!

Hope you had fun seeing my pincushions! 

Now go and visit the rest of the talented ladies sharing on the Hop today! 

September 11

Vroomans Quilts

More Stars In Comanche

Dancing Through Threads

Jackie's Art Quilts

What About Rheema?

Stekje

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Just Let Me Quilt

Patchouli Moon Studio

Bea Quilter

Quilting Lines

I Piece 2 Mary

Quiltingbydawn

Nati's Little Things

Marjorie's Busy Corner

Krislovesfabric

Bquiltin

For a complete list of participants, you can go to Kristen's blog, Meadowbrook.

Blog Hop Party and Giveaway!

Edit: My weekly feature, Sunday's Summary will be back next week after the hop! 

I haven't had a giveaway on my blog for some time so I thought that this would be a good time. I joined the Beat the Winter Blues ~ Quilter's Blog Hop Party over at Quilting Gallery. There you can find a list of participants. 

On my last week's Sunday's Summary I showed a little pincushion that I made to adhere to the side of my machine. 

I made it from left over HST from my Giraffe Love baby quilt. It is only 1 1/2" square. I love having it on the side of my machine...a new favorite notion! 

So I made a few more for you!

I will be giving away 2 of these mini pincushions to 2 winners (design...my choice.) I promise that some goodies will also be included. The 1st winner will be chosen by Mr. Random Generator and is open to all. The 2nd winner will be limited to my Google Friends Connect (GFC) followers (also chosen by Mr. Random Generator.)

 Here are the rules:

1. Please only one comment per person. 

2. Tell me your favorite quilting notion.

3. If you are a GFC follower (new or old), tell me in your comment. 

4. If you are a no reply blogger, please leave your email in your comment.

5. I will pick the winners sometime on March 15th. 

Note: the pincushions are stuffed with a combination of crushed walnut shells and polyester fiberfill.

Good Luck and enjoy the Hop!

Sunday's Summary

It's Sunday, which means it is time again to summarize what has been happening in and around my sewing room!

I will admit that with quilt finishes the last 2 weeks, this week's post isn't as exciting. I did have some mini finishes! 

First, my DD1 had ask me to knit a pair of boot toppers in cream or gray. She wanted a pair like the ones I knitted for myself in brown.

(sorry I never took pictures of them to share here)

Looking through my yarn stash, I didn't have enough of either of those colors so I took a trip to the yarn store. I picked up some cream alpaca yarn. 

I worked with a stretchy cast on and bind off technique found on Pinterest here and here. The pattern has three rows of cables for the cuff and ribbing for the part that tucks into your boot. I found the pattern here.

I also made a mini pincushion that adheres to my sewing machine. If I'm sewing with a lot of pins, I use a magnetic pin dish but when I am sewing small pieces and use only a pin or 2, this little pincushion is so nice. I found my inspiration on Kaaren's blog, The Painted Quilt here. 

I made it from the left over HST from last week's quilt finish, Giraffe Love. Stay tuned...I may just make some more and offer them as a giveaway. Anyone interested? Leave me a comment.

This week I have been playing with some triangles. I can't say much about this quilt yet but this is what my design wall looks like. The pattern is inspired by Anna Maria Horner’s patchwork prism quilt. I am using a 6" equilateral triangle instead of 9". I am trying to achieve a pixelated affect using triangles. More about this later. 

With the month of February ending, I completed my entries for my Art Journal challenge. 

I also found some time to play learn a little more about the Touchdraw app for my iPad. Did you notice my new improved button? 

Until next week...

Quick post

Spring Break has officially started in the School District I work. I don't typically go away over break but this year is different and I am so excited! I will be visiting my DD2 and SIL in Austin, TX. 

I am traveling there alone leaving my DH home. To keep him busy so he won't miss me too much (hehe), he is going to be giving my sewing room a fresh coat of paint and some other updates. 

This past week I have been packing up everything {boy do I have a lot of stuff.} I left a few things to the last minute because I really couldn't see not sewing for very long.  So you ask, what did you work on? 

A couple of new pin cushions! 

I am aware that there has been much written and discussed about Pinterest among bloggers lately. I admit that I do enjoy it and have gotten a lot of inspiration from the site. I will not be making any judgements yet and will try to keep calm. I only pin if I have made sure the link to the original site is working and the proper credit is given. To be honest, I have been so busy lately that I haven't had much time to spend on this time consuming addition. 

Sew until further notice...I will be working on my hexies.

For those of you interested, I also added a subscribe to button so you can now get notice of when I post. Look on my left sidebar. 

You are sew very appreciated!

A flimsy and some pins...

Yesterday I manage to finish the last 2 blocks as I'd hoped and since I was off today, I was able to finish the top! I am very pleased with the way it has turned out. What do you think? 

colors are not accurate

Although I was very careful in making those tedious HRT, I wasn't too sure that the points would match up. I'm glad to say that they really didn't give me any trouble. All these fabrics [except the Kona White] is used out of my 'less preferred' stash, the 3rd quilt of my challenge. Next up, I'll be looking through my stash for fabric that I could use for the backing. 

I am joining in on the Pincushion Parade over at Love Laugh Quilt! Here are some of my pincushions:

Life's a Stitch Dress Form

Sorry for the bad quality picture

 Tea Cup

Sunflower and Pinwheels 

I received the 2 pinwheel pincushions in a swap from Kelly of Charming Chatter

A Hen and a Velvet Tomato

Edit: the hen pincushion is a tutorial from my friend Deonn at Quiltscapes. 

 Heart

A FNSI win from Heidi of Handmade by Heidi 

The Ghastlie Knitters

From the Ghastlie blog hop

And a little play on words :D

On my way to check out some other pincushions. Won't you join me?

A challenge and a tiny finish

Last post I told you about my word of the year...challenge. I also mentioned the reading challenge that I signed up for since it sounded like fun. Here is a bit more about it.

Between January 1 and December 31, 2012, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title: Black Hills, Purgatory Ridge, Emily of Deep Valley
2. A book with something you'd see in the sky in the title: Moon Called, Seeing Stars, Cloud Atlas
3. A book with a creepy crawly in the title: Little Bee, Spider Bones, The Witches of Worm
4. A book with a type of house in the title: The Glass Castle, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Ape House
5. A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: Sarah's Key, The Scarlet Letter, Devlin Diary
6. A book with a something you'd find on a calendar in the title: Day of the Jackal, Elegy for April, Freaky Friday, Year of Magical Thinking

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.
Now that is only 6 books which I'm sure will be easy enough. I'm hoping on finding some new authors to read by visiting with other readers on the challenge. 

I'm still working on my 'less preferred' stash quilt and have finished 9 of the 20.  

Almost halfway done! 

I also finished this cute pin cushion, inspiration here. 

I had a few scraps of plaid that I found going through my stash, sew I stitched up this guy. Sometimes I just find myself off on a tangent. Back to those 'less preferred' blocks.

It's my turn...Day 8 of the Ghastlie Blog Hop!

Thank you all for visiting my blog during Madame Samm’s Ghastlie blog hop. I hope that you all have visited and enjoyed my sistah’s from last week and found some Ghastlie inspiration. I know I did!

I don’t know about you, but I tried to resist the Ghastlie’s sew many times. I had a couple of encounters with the family before succumbing down with the FLU. There is something disturbingly enticing about this family. When Madame Samm announced the Blog Hop I knew that I had been bitten. 

So without further delay....my first projects relate to the ghastlie chore of laundry! That never ending chore. As soon as it is done, it starts appearing again.  I  like to hang my laundry outside in the fresh breezes of summer, so I made a clothespin bag.  I had an old bag from my grandma that needed to be replaced and the Ghastlies were the perfect fabric. I just reused the frame. It just makes me smile!

I also found this cute clothespin apron pattern. The front features the Ghastlie family as they dine. 

The pocket is deep to hold many clothespins...or maybe some treats for the trick or treaters! 

Yep, that’s what it was used for this Halloween!  

Edit: I had many request for the apron pattern. I followed the tutorial here with a few adjustments to the pattern.

Next, I made this clever cover for a bucket. 

It has plenty of room inside to tote your projects around.  It is big enough for more than one project! The pockets around the outside of the bucket keep all your supplies close at hand.

It is cleverly made to slip right over a standard bucket (I purchased at Lowes).  This bucket has already been on several outings!

Miss Helga Broomswell is watching over my projects.

Hmmm...what’s next? 

Before I really began quilting, I made garden banners for the many seasons/holidays. 

I thought the I would welcome the trick or treaters this Halloween 

with a new Ghastlie welcoming banner. 

I wonder what brew those witches are cooking up!

Some of my smaller Ghastlie projects include these pin cushions...one starring dear Prudence and the other features the knitters...and a small zippered bag.

Gotta love Prudence and the knitting sistahs!

This pattern was adapted from the Sweet Zip pattern by Terrie Atkinson. I made it bigger to accommodate the Ghastlie characters and added the handle.

I hope you enjoyed my Ghastlie projects.  Now be sure to comment on this blog post as I will be randomly selecting one name from them to forward to Madame Samm for today’s grand prize drawing. That name will be drawn tonight and the winner will be announced tomorrow over at Madame Samm’s blog, Sew I Quilt. The winner will need to pay postage. 

I will also be having 2 giveaways right here. 

The first giveaway is the pin cushion starring dear Prudence. The second giveaway is 

the small zippered bag. If you would like a chance to win one of these Ghastlie creations, 

tell me so in your comment. Although you do not have to be a follower of my blog to win, 

I surely would love you to become one. 

Please make sure that I have a way to get in touch with you (or I will need to select a new winner). 

I will draw the winners (for my giveaway) at 10 pm Nov. 4th (CST). 

The first random number will  get the pin cushion and the second number generated will get the zippered bag. Good luck to all!

Be sure to visit the rest of my Ghastlie sistah’s blogs posting their Ghastlie creations and leave comments to win prizes. Here is today’s links.

Mrs. Jane Ghastlie
Mrs. Laura Ghastlie  ( sadly she will not be available)

Mrs. Mary Ghastlie

Mrs. Michelle Ghastlie

Mrs. Dawn Ghastlie 
Mrs Mary Ghastlie

Edit: The grand prize winner for Day 8 is Duff from Mrs. Jane Ghastlie's blog. Congratulations!


Thank you for all the wonderful comments...still coming in :D I probably won't be able to get back to each of you individually but I read them all and really appreciate all the love.  Stay tuned for my drawing  this Friday. 

Special praises to Madame Samm for all her effort in putting 

together another FUN blog activity! 

She is kind!

She is smart! 

She is important!

I feel so special...

when I get packages in the mail!  

Today the mailman delivered not 1 but 2 packages addresses to me!!!

First was a sweet package from my Pin Cushion Swap partner, Kelly!  I 'met' Kelly through the Charming Girls Quilt Club which she organizes and runs! I have so much respect for all she does. She pays attention to all the details...even wraps with fabric and pretty ribbons! 

Look at all the goodies she sent! I absolutely love, love, love the pin cushions! Beautiful fabrics and beautifully made! 

Kelly also sent 2 charms of Lovely by Sandy Gervais 

{I really love Sandy Gervais' fabric designs}, 

2 Schnibble patterns...Joy Luck and Jacks by the ever popular Miss Rosie's Quilt Company, 

and a bag of extra fine glass head pins! I will put these to very good use!  

Thank you so much Kelly!!! 

A thanks to Kris at Dandelion Quilts for organizing the swap 

{even if I didn't do such a good job at keeping the dates correctly in my head}.   

The second package of goodies came from Susan at Super Mom - No Cape!

On March 12th, she was celebrating her third blog anniversary with a give away and I won!  She made this lovely little gift bag and said that she would fill it with goodies! 

Oh boy! Did she ever! 

And she customized the goodies to things she found on my blog!

I had recently posted about my love of buttons...and she included a little fabric bag of lovely buttons! She took note that I enjoy stitchery and included several skeins of embroidery floss.  She made a lovely scissor and needle holder...with my Word for the Year...JOY! She also included a journal and matching magnetic pad of paper, and 2 boxes of chocolates {one with raspberries my all time favorite!}

 Thank you so much, Susan!

I do feel special today! 

FNSI Results!

Although I sewed most of the night, I can't show much...  

The evening started with making this little strawberry pincushion/scissors FOB.  It was simple and easy to make...and just darling! The free tutorial is from Vanessa of V and Co.

I did spent most of the evening quilting my daughter's wedding quilt.  I only had the border left to quilt as I finished quilting the blocks about a week ago.  Here's a little peek. That's all for now!

The top picture show the outside border with the single cable pattern quilted.  You can see the quilting better from the back (bottom left picture). On the bottom right, you can see the quilting on the blocks. The inner border (yellow) is stitched in the ditch.  

I was also excited about...buttons!  

A friend from work had 3 jars and a tin of buttons and told me to go through them and take what I could use.  Really!!  I love buttons!

 I think it goes way back to my grandma and mom who each had a button box that I loved. I would play and sort and examine the different buttons! 

I have a small collection myself...any chance to expand it...YES! 

Here are the ones I chose...after playing sorting for awhile.

Aren't they sweet?

So what did you do for FNSI?

Back on Track

It"s amazing how 2 days of being too sick to do anything can throw you off balance.  I am not one to lounge around in my pajamas all day.  I'm up and dressed fairly early.  I like need to keep busy.  Truly, I can't remember a day, much less 2, that I didn't get up, slept the day away and/or stayed in my pajamas until this past week.  My plans were out the window.  

I have been trying to stay on top of the Block-A-Palooza blocks since I played catch up for the first 3 blocks.  I was doing real good until Monday's release.  

I didn't have time on Monday but I only worked a half day on Tuesday so my plan was to sew the block then [before the Thursday block arrived.] 

Getting home from work, I felt exhausted. Ate a bit of lunch...didn't feel any better.  Took a little nap that lasted 21/2 hours [unintentionally]...didn't feel better but headed to my sewing room.  Looked at the pattern release for block 13 and my fabrics and couldn't decide what to do.  

Since when does playing with fabric exhaust a quilter?  I knew I was sick! 

I headed to the sofa and that is where I spent the rest of the day.  My wonderful DH made me chicken noodle soup, brought me meds and water. Wednesday morning I was not any better, maybe even a little worse.  

Happy that I was off on Wednesday, I stayed in bed the entire day...sleeping.  

Not reading, playing games or watching TV...just sleeping.  

By Thursday I was feeling better [not 100%] but was off to work.  That night I picked fabric for Monday's block and sewed. Ahhh! 

Friday night I worked on Block 14

Here are all 14 blocks! Only 2 more to go.

I am surprised on how much I like how this is all coming together. 

{Some blocks better than others.}

These bright colors are a little different for me.  

On Monday, I got my package off to Kelly at Charming Chatter, my pincushion swap partner.  She let me know that she received it and she likes it!  So now I can let you see what I made.

This cute heart pincushion...

where I embroidered Kelly's word, Rest.

   

I also made this needle case...

and my first attempt at special pin heads...

I will try again but realized that I need to get some green.   

{and some chocolate of coarse}

I finished a few more knitted headwraps...

for some friends.

There are few more things I've been working on [I'll show you later.] 

Been slowly stitching my birdie and give thanks BOM.  

What have you been working on lately?