29 December 2010

Elizabeth Mears Sampler Stitching


The start of the Elizabeth Mears Sampler


I had great intentions of getting a head start on the stitching for Elizabeth Mears -- I have done very little stitching on this lovely sampler.  After struggling with glasses, magnifiers, and light, I realized that I had not done any recent stitching on fine linen and it was time for an eye check.

My new stitching glasses should be ready next week and then I will try to keep up with the With My Needle and Pen internet stitch group.  I am a very slow stitcher even though I stitch two-handed using a frame.

Until then, I will continue to work on Gleneagle.  Here is my progress on the first block called the Mistake Patch -- such a pretty piece!!

Gleneagle - Mistake Patch

Dept 56 Christmas Decorating - The End

New England Village from Dept 56


This is the last village that was put up for Christmas decorating.  The houses and most of the people are from the New England series.


Our holiday decorations have been up since the week following Thanksgiving and they will soon be back in storage waiting for Christmas 2011.

26 December 2010

Gleneagle Needlepoint

Mistake Patch from Gleneagle



Cover photo of Gleneagle


The time has come to work on something that has been on my "to-do" list for years - Gleneagle.

Gleneagle is an amazing Jean Hilton design from 1990.  It is large -- the entire project is 252 threads by 332 threads.  The designer stitched hers on 14 count canvas using a combination of perle cotton and floss... mine is also on 14 using dmc 223, 224 & 225 and 926, 927 & 928 as the main colors.  The border will be 712 and the accent will be 746.

17 December 2010

Churn Dash Woolies - Quilted

The Woolies Churn Dash quilt is almost done!!


The quilt has been quilted.  I used my home machine -- an Elna Quilting Queen -- fun flannel alphabet/sampler fabric for the back and a mid-weight poly batt to make it machine washer and dryer friendly.  All it needs is the binding.

Christmas Ornaments On Our Tree

There are quite a variety of ornaments on our Christmas tree.  These are a couple of my favorites.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The puppies ornament was made by my mom, the bird ornament was made by my aunt.

Even More - Christmas Village Decorating

Here is the last section of the North Pole Village - the houses, people and most trees are Dept 56.

 

11 December 2010

New T-Fal Iron - It's Wonderful!!

It has been two months since I bought myself a new T-Fal iron called an Ultraglide.

The weight is lighter than my old Rowenta -- took some getting used.  The no-stick sole plate is not as smooth as the Inox stainless steel, but -- and this is HUGE -- it doesn't require constant cleaning.  Build up caused by starch, steam-a-seam, etc. wipes right off.   The T-Fal heats up quickly and the extra holes in the sole plate deliver plenty of steam causing my spray water bottle to get lonely.

This has been a great find!!

07 December 2010

More Christmas Decorating

More of our holiday decorating!  This group of lighted buildings are part of Elf Land (Dept 56) -- the two trees in back on the left are from North Pole Woods (Dept 56).

06 December 2010

Christmas Cross Stitch

These are a couple more of the Shepherd's Bush mini pillows -- letters "S" for snow and "C" for Christmas.

04 December 2010

Christmas Decorating 2010



Once Thanksgiving arrives, the days turn into a blur.  The Christmas decorating is just about done. This is part of the North Pole Village (Dept 56) that is set up.  All it needs is the fresh fallen snow.

28 November 2010

Gingerbread Houses Complete

The little houses are completed - very cute! I wasn't sure about the buttons, but they are from Just Another Button Company - how can you go wrong?!

What will be next??

26 November 2010

24 November 2010

Painted by Elephants - Adaptions for Needlepoint

An amazing piece of art, this elephant portrait was painted by an elephant and has been adapted to needlepoint canvas.  More artwork created by elephants can be seen at The Asian Elephant Art & Conservation Project. http://www.elephantart.com/catalog/default.php

Photo is from The Art Needlepoint Co. http://artneedlepoint.com/painted-by-elephants/elephant-kit-by-somjai

Hilltown Needlepoint Kit by Sophia Harding



Great piece!!  This is a needlepoint kit called Hilltown by Sophia Harding.

This photo came from The Art Needlepoint Co. http://artneedlepoint.com/new-arrivals

 

21 November 2010

Gingerbread Houses Update

The left house is almost done -- just a bit of longstitch detail to add.  Soooo cute!!

19 November 2010

Two Gingerbread Houses Needlepoint

This is the cover page of my current project, it was designed by From Nancy's Needle.  This is one in a series of mini scenes with houses -- all finish at 4" by 8".  I want to do them all!

This is what I accomplished yesterday.  This is my first piece by this designer and it is fun to stitch.  An advanced beginner would enjoy stitching this but might need a reference book to feel comfortable with the stitch sequences.

17 November 2010

Christmas Needlepoint Houses

This is the latest project, a small counted needlepoint Christmas piece.  It was started on Sunday but I have spent very little time on it -- what is pictured is the center.  I will post designer info soon.

14 November 2010

Golden Princess Bead & Sequin Ornament

The Golden Princess is the first "round" bead/sequin Christmas ornament I have made, I finished it yesterday.  It was much harder to make than I expected.  This was a kit that came with materials to make two ornaments and I have 3 kits -- perhaps by the time I reach #6 I will know what I'm doing.

13 November 2010

Linen and Silks for Elizabeth Mears 1833

Don't the silks look lovely on this linen??  These are my supplies for Elizabeth Mears 1833. The silks are from Needlepoint Inc (as charted) -- the linen is 35 count Church linen from Jessa Needlecrafts International.  I have been saving a couple pieces of this linen for just the right project!

11 November 2010

Elizabeth Mears 1833 - Reproduction Sampler

This is a photo of a schoolgirl sampler stitched by Elizabeth Mears in 1833.  Actually, I don't know if this is a photo of the actual sampler or a photo of the reproduction. In any case, this beauty will be one of the stitch-a-long projects for the With My Needle and Pen internet group for 2011.

The photo came from the web site of the designer, Queenstown Sampler Designs:  http://www.queenstown-sampler-designs.com/Reproductions.htm

More Thanksgiving Cross Stitch Decor

These fall themed cross stitch pillows are from an old Shepherds Bush series... I think it was called The Fold.

Each month for 26 months the mail carrier arrived with a great little kit from Shepherds Bush.  The kit would include everything to complete a little pillow - one for each letter of the alphabet.  The pillows in the photo are "P" and "T".

10 November 2010

Thanksgiving Decor

This is one of the decorations I have for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  This cute piece was designed by Mosey 'n Me for Rainbow Gallery in the late 1990's.  I did the stitching but not the finishing.  The doily that it sits on was crocheted by my mom.

05 November 2010

Holiday Apron

Aprons are great, I use them all the time when I am in the kitchen - and sometimes when I am working on different projects.  I finished this apron yesterday, this is the first one that I ever made.

Several years ago I found this as a panel print from Marcus Bros.

Santa's Boot Ornaments

This is one of the Christmas ornaments that I made over the weekend.  I finished three -- all the same.

29 October 2010

Christmas Ornaments



Christmas ornament time! This is the latest project that I'm getting started on. This is an old kit that I never got to -- it has everything needed to make three mini Santa boots using sequins beads and ribbon.

When done, this style of ornament looks fabulous on the tree.... especially when the lights go on.

28 October 2010

Halloween Decorating



This is our little Halloween Town.  The decorations are from Dept 56, the big house is called the Haunted Mansion and was probably the first in the Halloween series.  The small house is a costume shop, there is also a flying witch, some super cute trick-or-treaters and several other accessories.

Woolies Churn Dash - Top Complete



Yippie! The top is complete -- no idea on how I will quilt it.  On to another project.

24 October 2010

Woolies Churn Dash - Completed Blocks

In the fall, Sunday is usually for football.  Today my teams are playing so poorly I am sewing rather than knitting.  Drowning out the sound with my machine is a welcome distraction.  There is still some time for them to come back -- I hope so.

The churn dash blocks are ready to be assembled into a quilt.  This is the final arrangement with each block marked with it's position in the quilt.  I use the inexpensive flower pins to mark my blocks.  By using a fine tip sharpie I put row and block numbers on the pins and then attach to the blocks.  When you want to change the notations on the pins just use a bit of alcohol and the marker will wipe right off.

Field Trip to the Quilt Shop

On one saturday each month, one of my local quilt shops has a sale -- of sorts.

35th Ave Sew & Vac sells a reuseable shopping bag, the cost is about $6.  Seems a bit high, ok -- really high, but this is a great investment.  On one selected Saturday of each month when you bring in your bag to the shop you get:  a prize, a page of discount coupons, a game or two to play, and usually a meet and greet with a quilt designer.

Yesterday was the October sale day.  I bought  some fabric -- my current focus is on blenders and the Gees Bend solids are beautiful "almost" solids.  Plus, I knew I saw the Olfa frosted ruler somewhere -- this is the place -- I bought the 6.5" square ruler. 



My favorite part of the field trip was the meet and greet.

Carrie Nelson from Miss Rosie's was there with a wonderful selection of her finished quilts, books and patterns.  I had a few minutes to talk with Ms. Nelson -- she is talented, beautiful and is a really nice person.  Of course, I added another pattern to my collection.

18 October 2010

Almost Woolies Churn Dash



The Woolies Churn Dash blocks are complete -- rather, as complete as they can be until I decide on placement.  This is the first look at block placement.  I'm certain that it will be changed multiple times before I decide on the finished color placement -- so, it will be on my design wall for several days before I begin the final piecing.

15 October 2010

The Cutting Edge Ruler



There are always new rulers on the market. Along with most quilters, I have more than my fair share. I wanted to try one of the new frosted rulers since they are supposed to cut down on glare. I planned to get one from the Olfa Frosted Advantage line but they didn't have them at the store where I went shopping. They did have a couple of rulers called The Cutting Edge from Sullivans.

The Cutting Edge Ruler is frosted, non-slip and has a special edge (on just one side) that is designed to keep your blade sharpened as you work. The size I selected was a 4 1/2 inch square. A little smaller than what I like to use but they didn't have the larger square available -- besides it was an inexpensive way to test this style.

The ruler does seem to help with the little spots on my blade and it has a nice feel -- no slipping and no glare. But.... the edge with the sharpening feature adds just a little to the final measurement -- about 1 mm -- just enough for the cut to be off, to compound and to create major problems depending upon how you are using the ruler. Using it as a square up ruler is very difficult (and not worth the effort) for a couple of reasons:
1) only the edge with the sharpener has the accuracy problem and
2)you can not see the markings on the ruler through the special edge.
Using it for straight cuts and having the cutting mat provide the measurement is working. I will continue to use it but until the accuracy problem is corrected it will be the only Cutting Edge ruler I own.

13 October 2010

Grandmothers Flower Garden Quilt



This beautiful Grandmothers Flower Garden quilt was made by Artie Dozier from Garden City, KS in 2001 -- the quilt was hand pieced and hand quilted.  It was part of a live auction that took place during Quilt-A-Fair at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont, CO.  I'm not sure what year I bid on this little beauty -- probably 2003 or 2004.

07 October 2010

A New T-Fal Iron

As a big fan of Rowenta irons -- I have been using them for many years -- I fully expected to be happy with another one.   The Rowenta Focus seemed like a great fit, it is a craft iron without the auto off and is also a steam powerhouse -- I bought it, took it out of the box, admired it for about a month.  Then it went back into the box and was returned.  

I loved the idea of no auto off.... sadly, I don't believe I am responsible enough for that feature.  The other feature that scared me off is the redesigned soleplate with the high precision tip, I prefer the shape of the soleplate to be a traditional curve without the dimples. 

After looking on line and in person I found a an iron by T-Fal that receives almost all good to excellent reviews.  My new iron is called an Ultraglide that has a no stitck soleplate with a traditional shape.  I'm expecting great things from this iron.

05 October 2010

Woolies Churn Dash Update

It is pretty well established that I am not the fastest stitcher, quilter or crafter.  But that's ok because I like the end results.

These are the "almost" churn dash blocks that are complete -- about one-third of the blocks. 

01 October 2010

Almost A Block for Woolie Churn Dash



Block one for my Woolie Churn Dash quilt is as done as it can be for the moment.  Working with stripes has changed the way I would normally make this block -- since the churn dash block is one of my favorites it seemed that it would be an easy quilt to make.  Yes, it is an easy block but when you use a stripe for the background things change.

The final look depends on personal preference.  I absolutely must have all of the stripes going the same direction, most quilters won't worry about the direction and they will make quilts that will look just as wonderful. 

Since the quilt doesn't have a sashing, the way the blocks are pressed must be done in a such a way to make sure the seams snug up together.  Normally the pressing would be done like any 9 patch block but these blocks will not be able to be rotated 90° and keep the stripes consistant.  For now, my solution is to wait until all blocks are completed and in postion for the entire quilt before pressing the block units and completing the last two seams for each block.

30 September 2010

Sewing Test Samples



Like many people, getting a project started and completed is sometimes like a race.  So many projects and not enough time.  But.... sewing a test sample is worth every minute.  Before starting the Wollie Churn Dash I made a sample of the corner square.... depending on the fabric I sometimes find it very challenging to make triangles seamed to the correct size. 

With this Churn Dash pattern, using the measurement as stated didn't go so well for me and it ended with a rather messy corner square. It is very easy to cut the fabric just a bit larger and then trim to size.  I will likely need a few extra inches of fabric to create the wiggle room but it will be well worth it. 

In the photo, the square on the left was sewn using the measurements as stated in the directions (from Folk Art with Heart). The blocks center and right were made by cutting the squares 1/4 inch larger and then trimming to size.  I like it. 

Time to get started!!

25 September 2010

Woolies Fabrics -- Ready to Go



These are the Woolies Light fabrics for the quilts from One's Done, Another's Begun.  The colors are yummy!

22 September 2010

Free Patterns

I am working on adding pages that will provide links to sites that have free patterns.  Since I am just getting started with this, it is a work in progress -- hopefully will be a great resource for someone other than myself!

Click on the links on the menu at the top of the page, at the right side, or below....

Needlepoint Patterns

Quilt Patterns

Cross Stitch Patterns

Stitchery Misc Patterns

Knit & Crochet Patterns

Other Crafts

Wagon Wheels Quilt Top



It's impossible to have just one project going at a time.  This is a photo of a top that is completed and waiting to be quilted.  The pattern is from This and That and is jelly roll pattern called Wagon Wheels.  Most of the fabrics are from Kansas Troubles / Moda.

This will be quited on my home machine.  The top looks like a great opportunity to try different straight line patterns -- by using a different pattern in each block the finished top will be a sampler quilt.

20 September 2010

One's Done, Another's Begun - Lap Quilts in Flannel



My next project -- the photo comes from http://allthroughthenight.net/All_large_version.php?pattern_type=3&current_pattern=715

Bonnie Sullivan is the designer of this pattern - One's Done, Another's Begun - and the beautiful fabrics used to make it.  The fabrics are called Woolies and are produced by Maywood -- in my opinion the best flannel on the market. 

This clever idea utilizes the "scraps" from one quilt as the start for another quilt.  As you prepare the Churn Dash quilt, the left over triangles become a great start for the baskets of the quilt pattern Simply Baskets.   If this looks familiar, it could be because these patterns were originally published in the book "Folk Art with Heart" -- they appear as Woolie Churn Dash and Warm Woolie Baskets.

19 September 2010

Down in the Valley - Halloween - Finished

Yippie!  It's done!  This is my completed Down in the Valley - Halloween/Fall version wall hanging.  It seemed like there were so many (too many) buttons.  It doesn't look like so many when the quilt is done -- I like it.

Yes, it did take much longer than I anticipated but I finished it today.  This was another learning process --  as my first completed wall hanging / small quilt there were a couple of glitches. 

First, I have learned that just laying the completed top on the batting / backing creates some bunching as it is quilted.  Next time I will smooth - but not stretch - more aggressively as I pin. 

Second, I have always attached binding using the E. Burns method -- attaching as you stitch and slightly pulling the binding to keep from getting lettuce edges.  Well.... After attaching the binding by machine, I had sewn down about 1/3 of the binding -- when I held it up it looked like the start of nice wash basin -- guess I stretched just a little too much.  Off came the binding for a redo.  

The clothesline is linen thread that was couched down with 60 weight thread.  I also used 60 weight thread to sew on the buttons.  If you are new to using the buttons from Just Another Button Company, be gentle.  I broke one while fastening the thread.  The good news .... super glue works great for repairs.

18 September 2010

Last Day -- Last Shoppe

The final day of the Valley of the Sun shop hop is today.   Last day -- last store.

The Olde World Quilt Shoppe -- Plus: nice selections of repros, blenders (full line moda marbles with marble swirls, essential dots and much more), novelty, flannel, wool, silk, books and notions.  Probably 6,000+ bolts.  Many samples with kits .  Well lit large classroom.  Minus:  as beautiful as the shop is, the the lighting is poor in the main shopping area.  Overall:  This is a great shop with a knowledgeable staff... well worth the drive!!

16 September 2010

Valley of the Sun Shop Hop - Continuing to the southeast

Today I hopped to the Tempe/Mesa/Chandler area and visited five different shops.  More than enough shops for one day. 

3 Dudes Quilting -- Plus:  light and well organized, nice fabric selection including repro, batiks, blenders, much moda.  On display (I forgot to ask if they were for sale) are several antique toy sewing machines. Minus:  rather small -- probably 2,500 bolts.  Overall: Nice shop -- these dudes are talented and knowledgeable, worth a visit.

Quilters Ranch -- Plus: artsy and traditional fabrics plus thimbleberries and bernina machines.  Minus: maybe 3,000 bolts.  Overall:  not impressed with the staff knowledge, shop was a dissapointment.

Cutting Edge -- Plus: nice fabrics including the full line of moda marbles and many other blenders, thimbleberries, batiks, novelty.  Large selection of patterns.  Minus: could use some additional light.  Overall: Nice shop, probably about 3000 bolts -- staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

Zoe's Trunk -- Plus: great fabrics including repros, 30's, blenders, bold prints, wide backs -- probably 6,000+ bolts.  They also carry a beautiful variety of what look like overdyed wools and wool/applique project patterns.  Minus:  They tear the fabric.  Sorry Harriet, when you tear the fabric it can ruin the fabric by disrupting the pattern for up to 2 inches on each side of the torn fabric.... it just seems such a waste!!  Overall: great shop, run by nice and experienced people but the minus is too big for me to make a regular shop. 

A Quilters Oasis -- Plus: Light and cheerful with wonderful fabrics that include Kansas Troubles, repros, batiks, flannels, blenders and more.  Nice variety of books, notions and tools.  Minus:  too far from my house!!  Overall:  I really like this shop and it would be a favorite haunt if I lived closer.  The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable but most noticeable they seem to be truly excited about what they do. Do not miss this shop.

15 September 2010

Valley of the Sun Shop Hop 2010 Continues

Today I visited three more shops from the hop, all were in Phoenix.

The Quilted Apple -- Plus:  Nice selection of fabric and books, some flannels -- plenty of wool if you like to rug hook or felt and applique.  Seem to specialize in applique.  Minus: Need to get rid of the faded curtains on the door, it makes a very bad first impression. Rather small, probably 2500 bolts. Many older fabrics that need to go on clearance or be donated.  Overall: I like this place, it is a friendly shop with a knowledgeable staff and a nice variety.

Bernina Connection -- Plus:  fabrics are bright and bold,  nice selection of books - great selection of buttons.  Minus: clutter, clutter, dusty clutter.  Overall:  with some serious organization this could be a nice shop.

Quiltz -- Plus:  great variety of fabrics, including flannels and moda marbles -- probably over 6000 bolts, books are always 20% off. Great lighting with plenty of classroom space.  Minus: if I come up with one I will post it.  Overall:  Friendly staff, bright pleasing shop with a wonderful selection.  This is a shop you don't want to miss.

Down in the Valley – Another Update



For a small quilt this project just keeps going and going.  I machine quilted in the ditch around each block and the inner border then I added some simple lines to the border .  In the blocks I hand quilted clouds and swirls in the sky.  The binding is almost on -- maybe the next photo will be a finished piece.

12 September 2010

Valley of the Sun Shop Hop 2010

Friday was day one for the Valley of the Sun Shop Hop, the hop run for 9 days.  There are 13 quilt shops to visit -- each shop has a demo (and discount) on a quilt tool/product, plus a page with directions for a Debbie Caffrey mystery quilt.  This is a great time to find a new shop and see what each shop has to offer. 

I started hopping yesterday and visited four of the shop hop stores plus one that is not part of the hop.  Five shops were enough for me in one day, more than that and I would never remember who has what!!  I started in the west valley....these are the shops and my impressions of each:

Bearly Stitchin in Goodyear -- Plus: beautiful shop - light and bright, great selection of batiks and brights, very friendly staff.  Minus:  very small (2000 bolts or less is my guess).  Overall: if I lived closer it would be a nice shop for classes and fabrics, I suspect that they have a rapid turnover of fabrics. 

Quilted Cactus in Surprise -- Plus:  fairly large selection of beautiful fabrics including flannels, well organized by color and style, plenty of fat quarters available.  Minus: clearance section needs to be donated.  Overall:  Definitely worth a visit and would be a great local store.

Sun Valley Quilts in Sun City -- Plus: large selection of fabrics including flannels, juvenile and wide quilt backs, great selection of buttons and misc quilt notions and tools.  Minus:  seems cluttered.  Overall:  Worth the drive -- great shop with a great selection.

Quilter's Bee in Peoria -- Plus: great selection of fabrics and kits, bright and cheerful, nice classroom with great lighting, staff seems very knowlegeable.  Minus: small -- probably not more than 2000 bolts, parking lot leaves a lot to be desired.  Overall:  a nice local shop.

35th Ave Sew and Vac (not in the hop)-- Plus: fabulous selection of fabric including complete lines plus kits, nice book selection always on sale at 20% off,  great variety of threads.  Minus: rather intimidating on the first visit, parking can be a problem.  Overall:  Worth a visit regardless of where you live in the valley... be sure to sign up for the email newsletter when you pay.

04 September 2010

Safety Pins for Quilting and Finding Equinox Quilt

My little quilt is pieced!  Since there are a bunch of buttons to add, minimal quilting will be needed.  Because I have done very little quilting on a home machine I have been doing research to help with supplies.  I had always been told to use brass safety pins -- what I didn't know was that they leave marks in light fabrics.  Harriet Hargrave recommends high quality, rustproof, nickel plated pins.  I'm pretty sure that means nickel plated brass and not nickel plated steel. When I did a Yahoo search I was directed to Hancocks of Paducah where I found not just safety pins but this fabulous quilt!  It is called Equinox and uses fabrics designed by Kaffe Fassett - the pattern is by Aardvark Quilts.



This photo came from http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/Item--i-AQ-818-QK

A New Iron – which Rowenta is best?

Deciding on a new iron -- it's time for a new one.  The search started a couple of weeks ago via the internet.  It seems that over the years I've had most of the brands made.  My favorites have been my Rowenta and my cordless Maytag.  But... my Rowenta is leaving marks when I steam (no matter how much I self-clean) and the Maytag has a terrible leak when I try to use  it with steam. Unfortunately, Maytag no longes make a cordless iron.

31 August 2010

Holiday Crafting

Every year there are a few crafting magazines that have great ideas for ornaments and other decorations for the holidays.  This is one of my favorites.  The ideas are always both fresh and classic. They can be done by anyone who is willing to spend the time to create a special item and/or gift.



This photo came from the Better Homes and Gardens website http://www.bhgsip-mediakit.com/r5/showkiosk.asp?listing_id=2069148&category_id=55204

Down in the Valley Update



Here is the Halloween wall hanging that I have been working on.  All three blocks are complete -- the borders will be really fast since it is so small.  The finished size will be approximately 18" x 31.5".



These are the buttons from the  pack that will be used to embellish the little quilt.  Just Another Button Company makes such cute buttons and when they are coordinated into a fun pack like this it is hard to refuse!

28 August 2010

Knit & Crochet and Football



Football season is a great time to work on simple knit or crochet projects.  All three cotton washcloths use Sugar 'n Cream cotton.   It seemed like time for a little variety and  the washcloth in progress is from the Lion Brand website of free patterns.