New Year Sewing~

Happy New Year!

Have you been sewing the new year in?

I am doing Bonnie Hunter's  En  Provence Mystery~

But I'm a bit behind. ;-)

I loved the colors she chose this time, and I am glad to see the final reveal. 

I do plan to change something just a bit. 

So far I have a box full of pieces, as well as an ironing board, cutting table, etc. 

You get the idea. ;-) I hope to work on it more today.

I also did a quick  pattern test for a cute little mini backpack~

                                       This is the Lily Mini Backpack from Nancy Stroop Designz
Nancy is an Australian bag maker and is doing a monthly subscription for her patterns. This is the January pattern.  It was a fun sew~ I don't think a beginner would have any problems as she is really good about explaining each step, giving little tips along the way.

I've made a few lists of things I hope to accomplish this year, but not really goals.  

I am better at list making than goal setting. ;-) LOL

Which do you find easier to follow?

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!

Its A Wrap~

A therapeutic rice wrap, that is. :-)

The last gifts I sewed before Christmas were 4 of the therapeutic rice wraps.

I knew if I made one for one person, everyone else would want one. LOL

I decided to base the size on a hand towel because I wanted to make open ended covers for them.

The embroidery designs are from various Anita Goodesign sets.

I used cotton fabric, thread etc for the actual rice bag that you can heat in the microwave.

I just measured to make them slightly longer than the towels, and as wide as a folded towel.  

I did sew channels to help distribute the rice and did this by pressing folds into the tube~ folded in half and then each half in half again. Filled a channel with about 2 cups of rice, pinned it to keep the rice in place, and sewed it closed, closing the end after the last 2 cups of rice was added.

They were a hit! Two got used on Christmas day for sore backs and necks. LOL 

Whew! I feel like I really accomplished a lot of Christmas sewing, but next year? I am starting sooner! ;-)

Until next year~  ;-)

Happy stitchin'!

...and a Little More Sewing~~

Since these gifts have been received and opened, I'll show you them next. ;-)

First this sweet tote from All People Quilt.~

My recipient took this photo and it is so much better than the one I took that I hope she doesn't mind my using it. ;-)  I don't have the name of the pattern at the tip of my fingers, but if anyone wants it, I can look it up. It was fun to make and I think I might need to make one for me now. ;-)  The below photo was pre-quilting. :-)

I also sent out another set of placemats to a friend~

 

No pattern, just using some charm squares.  I did do one fun thing with these~

I used Susie's Magic Binding  Tutorial

It worked great!! :-)  Along with the placemats I sent a hand embroidered dish towel and I think she was tickled to pieces to get something hand done. LOL  This friend loves all things vintage, so I knew the 30's squares would fit well into her kitchen. 

I am finishing up a few things for our family here and will have them under the tree by Sunday. I'll show you those after Christmas. 

Until then~

Happy Stitchin'!

And a very merry Christmas!!

 

..More Christmas Sewing~~

I did get everything I made as gifts mailed out, but I am still sewing.

These things might or might not have been mailed. ;-) LOL

First a set of placemats....

 

I had one of those Moda Scrap Bags of the line 'The Potting Shed' by Holly Taylor.  

These scrap sacks have all the fabrics you would find in a jelly roll, but they are the end cuts~ they aren't 2.5 inches wide and they have the selvages on them.  They are probably only 36 inches long too~ I don't think I ever really measured!  Since I have a long term selvage project in the works, these are perfect! And pretty inexpensive too.  After I cut off the selvages I usually have 1 3/4th's to 2 inches of strip left.  

I didn't use any pattern for these, just sewed strips and played. I didn't take any photos of the backs~ they are just a green print.

Next up, a mini quilt....

 

I really should have photographed this with a ruler next to it. The little stars are 4 inches, making it an 8 inch mini.  Again no pattern.  Just playing with a charm pack of

'Vintage Shirting & Dress Prints' by Barbara J. Eikmeier for Fabri-Quilt. 

And a set of cloth books~

I don't sew & turn cloth books like the directions on the panel tell you to do.

I press interfacing to the pages, use some fancy machine stitches to sew the

pages together and then use my wavy edge or pinking shears to trim.

I wish I had taken closer photos of the fancy stitches~ some were really fun! But,alas,

I finished them, took the photo and got them into the mail.  I'm just lucky hubby asked if I took a photo! ;-) 

I am still sewing a few last minute things as well as working on Bonnie Hunters Mystery Quilt.

Am I crazy? Well, my blog name should answer that one! LOL ;-)

Until next time~

Happy stitchin'!!

Christmas Sewing~

I can't show you everything I am sewing for Christmas gifts because...

ahem, hi Mom! :-)  Some things just need to be secret a while. LOL

But I can show you this sweet mug mat I made for our DGD.

The machine embroidery design is from Sweet Pea.  If you have an embroidery machine, she has a lot of cute designs!  She does a little sew along every month and this was November's project. I just finished mine late because of our November travels.  The cookie block is a little pocket.  Santa is done in velvet and his beard is a double layer of flannel.  I think I may have to make another for me! LOL  ;-)

Are you finished making the gifts you want to make, or like me, will you be sewing until the last minute?

Until next time~

Happy stitchin'!!

Buttons!!

I love buttons, although I've never had very many~ but that changed for me this week! :-)

My friend sent me her button box because she is downsizing her sewing things.

I am just thrilled she thought of me! :-)

Just look at all these beauties~~

And that isn't all! There was a little smaller tea can too.  

I have been enjoying sifting through them and I found this 'key' in them.

At least I think it is some kind of key to something~ do you know?

Do you have one or have you ever seen one?  

I am real curious about it and have written to her too. ;-)

Are you busy sewing gifts for Christmas?  I have a few more to do,

sorry no peeks yet. I'm not sure who reads my blog! ;-)

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!

A Little Catch Up~

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First~ JJWelch, you asked a question about my fabric in my Oslo Craft Bag. But didn't leave me an email address, so I hope you see this. :-) Congratulations on your new featherweight!  The fabric I used is called 'And Sew On' by Fresh Designs for Henry Glass. I found it in a little shop in Yelm, WA called GeeGee's. Their phone number is on their website and they are some of  the nicest quilt shops ladies I have ever encountered!  Good luck!

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Next~ 

I have over 120 4-patches in that pile of strips in my previous post!  :-o I even surprised myself!

But since I need over 200, I had to go back and cut more strips. After sewing them up, I am still 30 short. Will I ever get these 4-patches finished?

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Finally~

While gone on our trip Liz at Moments blog revealed her newest pattern~ Grace

I had the pleasure of testing this one and I really enjoyed it!

It is unique.

I made mine in Christmas fabric that I picked up at Hobby Lobby last year.  I love this festive fabric!

It is decorator weight, so I didn't need a lot of interfacing.

The inside is another Christmas looking print I had in my stash. :-) Don't you love a healthy stash?! LOL

I have started carrying this one this week and have gotten some lovely comments.  :-)

Are you busy doing holiday sewing? I have a number of irons in that fire and will be back soon to show you some completed projects. Until then~

Happy stitchin'!!