Making Progress: The Big US Quilt

Whoa. When I decided to combine three things that I wanted to do, I guess that I didn't realize how big of an undertaking that it was. I have ordered supplies online (since I am still in semi-quarantine from my surgery) and decided that being super-organized was the only way that I am going to get through this unscathed. I am a little nervous since I am doing a lot of things that I never have: quilt applique, hand quilting, AND paper piecing. 

Fabrics are starting to arrive. The big order from Spoonflower came in yesterday. I was sad to learn that an 8" swatch is actually 6.5". I have ordered duplicates of some since I am using these themed fabrics for both the star blocks and the actual state on the map. Scraps will become part of the sashing and/or binding.

 I have spent my free time since Saturday stitching tons of motifs from the 50 States Stitching Club. I am up to date with the rest of the club now.

I didn't realize how small that they would be until I started to transfer them. I originally traced them with water soluble marker, but found that it was too pale. Pencil works just fine.

I started tracing states tonight to make patterns. Ramses thinks that he is helping.

Tomorrow night, I hope to be able to start cutting fabric and Saturday, I will start making stars. So nervous. Any paper piecing tips?

Stitching Up a Happy New Year: Embellished Tea Towels

Whoa, does anyone still even remember me? I barely remember myself. Nine months since my last post. Nine months. Enough time to create a human life. While I didn't create anyone new, I did spend plenty of time creating myself. 

I have been promoted...twice. I have directed two more shows. I have run another half-marathon. I have been to Disney World. I have had surgery.
The surgery was recent, just last week. It was frightening, but I am healing. Go through the procedure and now nurturing myself through the healing process, I have really been able to focus what makes me happy: making things. I am committed to making more time to make.

Although I have multiple WIP that I really should be working on (more on those soon, I promise,) I decided that a great way to start the year would be to make some embroidered and embellished tea towels for my kitchen. I focused on things that I really love. It also showed me that I REALLY love decorating tea towels...weird.

Sometimes life gets in the way

Everyone that I know is busy...work, school, family, hobbies, chores, the holidays. Life happens and sometimes it can throw you a curve ball.

In the three weeks (arghhh!) since I last posted; I turned 40, the show that I directed was produced, some major health issues have cropped up, Thanksgiving has come and gone, I have learned a new skill, and I have been making if not sharing.

  The last morning in my 30s, I taught myself to needlefelt. I love it and have lots of projects in my mind. Stay tuned after Christmas for some photos of an applique/embroidery/needlefelt project. Can't spoil a holiday surprise though...

Thankful Thursday: You Can Do Anything Embroidery Pattern

Fall is the season that many people focus on what they are thankful for.

 I am trying to do that everyday, all year long. 

This has been a huge year for growth and learning for me. I have learned tons of new crafty things which makes me incredibly happy. I was made to make things. I truly believe that that is my purpose.

In the spirit of making things, it is also play season for me. I am the only full-time adult with a large group of students. It can become overwhelming at times. I am also a bit of a control freak, so I have never been comfortable asking for help. This year though I am breaking that habit. I designed this embroidery pattern to remind myself that you can be a super woman without being a superwoman.

 Asking for help does not mean that you are weak. It means that you know your limitations.

You can download the pattern to remind you as you face your challenges.

Sunday Funday: Doing What I Love

This was one of those weekend that a crafter dreams of: research, projects, new skills, progress. It was a balm for my busy week and cluttered mind.

 I had an absolutely stellar trip to my local library!

 I am so excited to dive into these books as I plan projects, posts and gifts :)

  We also had a great stop at our local reclaimed sewing supplies store. 

I was able to score this awesome horde for only $16.74!

 Weekends were made for this kind of dinner with my sweetie. 

Cheeses, rice crisps, apples, olives, almonds...LOVE!

 Followed by pumpkin carving...so much fun!

 I indulged in some awesome treats for myself. Yay for 50% off coupons and inspiration!

Spent some time redoing my double crochet/lemon peel project. 

It will make a great holiday gift!

Stay tuned for some great roasted pumpkin seed recipes. As you can see, it was an absolutely wonderful weekend full of many blessing, quality crafting and bonding time, yummy dinners and much project progress. I am one lucky girl!

WIP Wednesday: New Craftventures

 I love to learn new things. It makes me seriously happy. I went to the craft store to get transfer paper today. Sadly, they did not have any any. Th did, however, have yarn, beautiful embroidery floss, and wool felt. It all jumped right into my basket. It wouldn't have been right not to bring them home.

I have decided recently that I wanted to learn to crochet. Luckily, my dear friend Paula is a wonderful teacher.  This is my first ever piece. I am making a cowl (yes, another one) out of just single crochet. Tonight, she also taught me double crochet and shell stitch. Yay for new skills!

I also bough several pieces of wool felt (and ordered some other colors) to start some brooches. I have not done applique before, but I did some research and our local library has several books available. I am super excited to try it out!

WIP Wednesday-TARDIS Plushie

Do you ever start a project, just to have it migrate to the bottom of your work basket, forgotten? Sadly, I started this TARDIS months ago with plans to make it into a plushie. I am happy to say that it is ALMOST done!

Thankful Thursday: Seat Belt Cover

Some days, I have a tougher time identifying what I am thankful for than others.

Today though, I do not have to struggle. 

I am thankful for this blog and the ability to share. I am thankful that with prior planning, I can make life simpler down the road. 

I am thankful that my sweetie always has my back.

I am thankful for many little things. I am not thankful for my seat belt digging into my neck while I drive just because I am petite. I AM thankful that in just a few minutes I could make something that solves that problem and shows a little bit of my personality!

How Tuesday: Wristband Pin "Cushion"

So, if you are anything like me, there are pins ALL over your studio. Granted, I have a magnetic pin block on my cutting table, a plushie tomato pin cushion next to machine, even the top of my sewing box is a pin cushion. And yet, as I sew, pins come out of my piece an onto the sewing machine table...and onto the floor...and into my sock. Sigh. When I saw a photo of a wristband pin holder on Pinterest, I knew that it was meant for me.

Stitchy Saturday: Embroidered Pendant

Summer is giving us subtle cues. Days are getting shorter, veggies are piling up on every flat surface in our kitchen, nights are getting crisper, and I am prepping for the fall play. 

With cooler days ahead, I find myself thinking of new outfits for autumn, new accessories to make in the studio and new embroidery projects to unwind with a cup of tea before bed.

Inspiration struck in a fun way--I got a great shadow box pendant as a gift and I bought some beautiful patterns from So September (visit her blog...her work is AMAZING). Perfect. I decided to combine the two to create a fabulous necklace for fall.

I am in love with this necklace. For real.

I started with a 1 1/2 shadow box pendant. 

The well behind the glass is fairly deep, 

which proved to be a hug benefit.

Using the circle template made this SO much easier.

I simply traced the size that I needed on muslin.

I wanted the piece to look finished with a tiny

rustic touch. Hence...muslin.

I utilized a portion of Corrine's gorgeous pattern

and chose some colors that would transition nicely

into the autumn.

I cut around the circle with my pinking shears 

and cut a circle a teensy bit smaller than the shadow box 

from foam core.I stretched the embroidery around the 

foam core and tacked it with hot glue. 

I tacked the entire piece into the shadow box

with a drop of hot glue.

Ready to accessorize me all through the

autumn...so happy when my worlds collide!

Sunday Funday: Getting back in the swing

Trying to become a regular blogger again has been a bit of a challenge. Given the absolutely gorgeous weather this weekend, we have spent the entire time outdoors, getting things done. Which means that I have done nothing to prepare for the coming week's blog.I also have made those pesky quilt blocks yet. Nothing has been made, much less photographed. 


Luckily, I did today's project just before the hiatus.


It is forecast call for rain tomorrow night, so I can buckle down and get things cranking again!

Bought these awesome bird patterns from So September.
LOVe Corrine's work!! Also, kind of in love with the colors that I chose.
And, yes, I am stitching on a fabric napkin that I picked up at Goodwill
for $.25. 

The finished trio on my inspiration wall. 

It's a lil bit fuzzy, but you get the idea!

Stitchy Saturday: Felt Needle Book

I absolutely love to make things that are both adorable and really useful. Since I always like to be making things, I often travel with a project. Knitting and embroidery are much easier to take on the go than metal work or quilting, but it is never fun to reach into my project bag and poking myself with a needle. A handmade needle book was just the ticket!

This would make a great Mother's Day gift :)

I started with 4 pieces of felt, the largest being 8 1/2 x 4 1/2
inches. I cut the pages with my pinking shears to about
8x4 inches and I also cut two pieces of ribbon about
4 inches long to create the closure.

I pinned the ribbon to the inside (the "wrong" side) of the cover.

I stitched all the way around the edges, taking the ribbon down as I went.

I pinned the pages in and stitched down the center.

Complete, but a little plain :(

I cut two pieces of green felt for grass and several
pieces for flowers. I also choice some fun  buttons for the centers.

After stitching on the felt, I added some stems and leaves.
I added some bees, too...I love them!

Ready to go!

Stitchy Saturday: Sleeping on Sunshine Pillow

Challenges are...well..challenging to an aspiring uber-crafter. This week, I decided to make a pillow. Not a plain ol' pillow, but a round embroidered pillow. I have embroidered plenty of things, but never anything that was actually going to be used. I have also never made a round pillow, much less a gusseted round pillow. 


Well, challenges were meant to be conquered!

The final product! I will add a little more batting next time.

I made a gusset from a leftover piece from a fat quarter.
I sewed the strips together and then pinned the right sides of that
and the front together.

Ramses wanted to help me pin!

After sewing the gusset to the front, I pinned it to
the backing piece. I had to remember to leave a spot to stuff.

Turned right side out and ready to stuff.

Detail of the gusset and the layers together.

I am very pleased with my first attempt and look forward
to creating more intricate pillows as gifts!

WIP Wednesday: Sleeping on Sunshine

Another sunny day here in CNY, another day at the physical therapist., another day without a run. 
I am not going to dwell on it--I am am going to embrace the sunshine. 


Right now, I am working on a fun new throw pillow for my bed that will have me thinking sunny thoughts:

I have embroidered the front of the pillow using several stitches,
including the back stitch, split stitch, whipped back stitch and
french knots. The beams are 4 different shades of yellow on an
orange cotton background.

I will be using the yellow cotton on the back and will be
doing the blanket stitch along the edge for some additional
decorative interest. I MAY attempt to put in a band between the front
and back.

I think it will look great nestled among my other handmade pillows and shams.
Check back Saturday when I hope to post the finished product!!