A Little Machine Fun~

I love my embroidery machine!

Whenever I find the time to 'play', I take full advantage. ;)

Last week I found some extra minutes in my days and did just that!

I started with towels~

Designs from Julia's Needle Designs

 And then I went to making Halloween tops for the grandkiddoes~

Designs from Itch 2 Stitch

More tops~

Itch 2 Stitch

And then a couple more towels :-)

Design from Embroidery Library

Next in line, I want to work on some Christmas gifts~ its never too early! LOL

What is under your needle this week?

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!!

Retreat!!!

Generally what happens at retreat, stays at retreat. :-)

But I went to a really fun one last week and can't stop thinking about all the fun I had!

One of my friends brought Wonder Woman sunglasses and we had to test them out on our 

way to dinner~

LOL there is so much reflection that you can barely see our star headbands. :-)

My friend totally surprised me with an early birthday party where I was gifted Wonder Woman sheets, pillowcases, a big fleece Wonder Woman blanket, socks and a mug among lots of smaller items.

I was totally spoiled! And now have a retreat bedding 'go' bag. :-)

I helped with the mystery class at the retreat. We had 84 retreaters and 54 mystery class participants. Pre-retreat, I cut the fabrics and made kits for every step.

I think everyone's projects turned out wonderfully! My only regret is that I didn't get any group photos. I sure hope the mystery makers enjoyed the project as much as I did!

This is what we made~

The pattern is called the 'Catch-all Cutie' by Teresa Weaver @Grateful4joyNpeace Designs

We did have to eliminate one zipper pocket to make it a more do-able project in the allotted time we had.  It has pockets to hold all your supplies and then zips up closed for travel. Very fun!

 

I also managed to get some 'secret sewing' done and will have to show you that at another time. 

Until then~

Happy Sewing!

PS. I am sorry but I had to turn on comment moderation again because I was getting spammed with junk. :-(

A Fun Challenge~

I am so sorry this is a bit late, we had a family emergency which took us away last week. 

I would not recommend 5 hotels in 5 nights~ by the last night you start to get your room numbers mixed up! ;-)

I missed the revealing of the Henry Glass Desire to Inspire Challenge for September~

it was me!!!  :-) Do you follow their blog?

I received the coolest bundle of fabrics from Janet Rae Nesbitt's new line~

 

 

And jumped right in playing with them!  I learned I am not so good at making wonky blocks when I made the wonky  Churn Dash blocks. :-) But once  I figured out a process, it went pretty well.

I so loved the angel in the panel that I traced it on a fusible web and made a second angel for a doll quilt. And since no quilt is finished without a pillow, I made a doll pillow as well as a smaller one for the lap quilt. 

My sweet granddaughter found the mirror more interesting than her new quilts. LOL

I backed both with minky so they are snuggly soft!

It was so much fun taking this challenge.

I hope you will consider throwing your name in the hat sometime!

Until next time~

Happy stitchin'!

The August Quilt

Where does the time go???

My summers usually disappear really fast as we go camping every month.

This month we went to Leavenworth, WA and I'll post some pix later.

Today I want to talk about the pattern test quilt top I finished just before we left~

The August Quilt~

by Erica Jackman of Kitchen Table Quilting

This really fun quilt came in when my DD was visiting and she immediately thought of the beach.

So from the bottom left corner we have grass, sand, ocean and a peek at a beautiful sunset.  She has also put dibs on this one. LOL I have ordered some snuggly plush fabric for the back and then I will quilt it.

There are a lot of curved seams in The August Quilt, but they are really gentle and easy to do, so if that makes you hesitate~ don't!! Erica has some great tips in her pattern and all the tester versions came out so cute. Check them out HERE

 

Until next time~ 

Happy Stitchin'!

I'm So Excited!!

...and I just can't hide it!!

LOL are you singing that song now? 

I received the best mail!!

I am going to be the Henry Glass Challenger for September~

Whoohoo!!!

You can read about the Desire to Inspire Challenge on their blog.

I was sent a box of 'Irish Blessing' by Janet Rae Nesbitt of One Sister Designs.

Since I have some Irish in me, this was right up my alley!

 Sorry, I really should have pressed before pix, but I was just too excited!! LOL

Now what to make... :-)  I have a few ideas!

We will see how many I can finish. 

What is on your cutting table this week?

Until next time~

Happy stitchin'!!

A New Laptop Bag

I did this fun pattern test last week for Tori of Toriska patterns

The Mercury Messenger Bag comes in two sizes. The larger can hold my laptop and the smaller is more purse size.  I chose to do the larger because my laptop bag was showing its age. ;-)

Tori's patterns are very well thought out and illustrated. You have options for faux leather &/or cork.

I chose the red faux leather since I knew I was keeping this one. ;-)

My DD was visiting last weekend, took one look at it and said~ 'that would make a great Christmas present!' LOL ....I love it! :-)

The pattern is on sale for a limited time, so be sure to check it out with the above link if you are interested.

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!!

Not Found In Quilt Shops~

I have some less-than-traditional  items in my sewing supplies.

I am sure you do too!

Here are a few of my favorites~

A foam placemat from the Dollar Tree~ your sewing machine foot will not move on this, even on carpet!

A metal chopstick from the Asian Market~ great for turning things, poking out corners, etc.

 

A witches finger -LOL-  It is the best finger stiletto! You can find them in the pop-up Halloween shops. ;-)

 

A retractable back scratcher?  Oh yes! Not only for that itch you can't reach, but it has a magnet in the palm~ great for picking up dropped clips and pins, and it has a long reach in case that spool rolls under the table. ;-) From Harbor Freight.

 

And a trimmer- it is battery operated and is the best seam ripper!  Again, Dollar Tree. ;-) You need to supply your own battery. 

Now tell me, what less-than-traditional things are in your sewing box?

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!